Local Leaders Push Back Against ICE Expansion Plans

Tue Feb 03 2026 14:24:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the federal government seeks to expand its immigration detention facilities, state and local officials are fighting against the plans, fearing the impact on their communities.

Tensions are rising across the U.S. as local officials resist the Trump administration's plans to expand ICE detention facilities. Community leaders from cities like Kansas City and Richmond express concerns about the safety and resources for local residents, citing recent violent incidents related to immigration enforcement. Several states are introducing legislation to block or regulate ICE's operations, reflecting a growing frustration over federal immigration policy. As public opposition escalates, the question remains: Can local governments effectively deter these federal actions?

With high tensions around immigration enforcement, local leaders are actively resisting the Trump administration's expansion of ICE detention facilities. Proposed sites in Richmond, Virginia and Kansas City, Missouri have sparked significant community pushback, with residents expressing fears that these centers could bring violence like recent deadly encounters during immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Local governments are increasingly exploring legislative routes to block ICE's plans. Kansas City, for example, voted to impose a moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities. Similar actions are observed in Oklahoma and New Mexico, where state legislatures are pushing bills to prohibit or discourage ICE operations.

The number of ICE detention sites has reportedly doubled since Trump took office, with over 70,000 immigrants held in detention centers across the country. In January alone, ICE invested heavily in new facilities, indicating a commitment to expansion despite local opposition.

Legal experts note that while local governments can deny leasing space to ICE, they face challenges in stopping federally sanctioned facilities due to federal supremacy laws. Kansas City's resistance reflects a broader trend questioning the efficacy of local regulations against federal immigration policies. The situation remains fluid, as communities navigate their power against federal directives.