Federal Acquisition of Warehouse for ICE Detention Facility

Urged the council to refuse silence and complicity, demanding transparency and lawful tools to challenge the project.

Voiced concern from a faith perspective regarding lack of transparency, traffic, security perimeters, and compatibility with community character.

Stated that nine schools and numerous parks are within three miles of the warehouse, demanding that leaders untie their hands and fight back.

Shared multi-generational family ties to Surprise and El Mirage, expressing deep concern that families and children are living in fear.

Asked the council to represent residents and stop the detention and data center projects due to resource drain and human rights concerns.

Condemned the facility as a for-profit concentration warehouse and demanded accountability and environmental impact statements.

Questioned what steps the mayor and council have taken to notify the Governor and Attorney General regarding safety risks and utility impacts.

Implored the council to show leadership and transparency, stating that acquiring property in secrecy is un-American.

Criticized the city's statement of inaction, pointing to other cities nationwide that are successfully pushing back against ICE facilities.

Argued that the facility requires municipal utilities and police contact, and urged the council to use all means to prevent it from becoming operational.

Expressed concern over lack of transparency, family separation, and potential strain on emergency services, urging council opposition.

Begged the council to take action to stop the detention center and demonstrate that public safety remains the city's top priority.

Discussed family history with segregation and discrimination in Arizona, warning that the proposed facility threatens school safety and public resources.

Stated that the community does not consent to a detention facility, warning of eroded trust and fearful residents.

Expressed disappointment as a new homeowner regarding future community plans, noting the diverse workforce building the city.

Shared a historical analogy regarding community responsibility and local complicity during WWII, urging creative municipal oversight.

Argued that the facility is immoral and un-American, urging the council to go beyond perceived limitations to eliminate the building.

Stated that federal property will be tax-exempt while straining city resources, urging the council to follow other cities in barring the facility.

Argued that corporate profits should not override community well-being, calling for a public denunciation of the facility.

Expressed frustration as a veteran regarding lack of federal transparency and unannounced federal enforcement presence.

Urged the council to do everything in its power to stop the facility, warning of long-term economic and social fallout.

Expressed deep concern over water and sewer capacity, environmental reviews, and human rights abuses in detention centers.

Expressed personal terror and anxiety regarding enforcement presence, begging the council to prevent the facility.

Argued that the city controls sewer services and vendor contracts, urging the council not to surrender to federal overreach.

Demanded that the council publicly denounce the facility and utilize all powers to prevent its opening.

Stated that the sale of the warehouse prioritizes corporate profit over human dignity and student safety.

Expressed opposition to a detention facility in a community known for recreational amenities.

Cited documented deaths and human rights violations in ICE facilities, urging the council to reject the proposal.

Compared the facility to historical concentration camps, urging the council to deny water, electricity, and sewage to the building.

Highlighted the overwhelming public opposition in the room and criticized secret federal purchases and lack of due process.

Stated that eyes are on the council and urged them to use all necessary means to fight for community peace.

Expressed severe concern as a parent whose children attend a cheer gym within 500 feet of the warehouse, citing safety and tactical risks.

Shared indigenous perspective and concern over infrastructure strain and lack of human dignity at the proposed facility.

Stated that Northwest Valley Indivisible supports peaceful, nonviolent, weapons-free protest and opposes the proposed ICE facility due to distrust in ICE's accountability and conduct.

Expressed support for local law enforcement, medical personnel, and customs and immigration officers performing difficult jobs.

Expressed support for police and ICE in enforcing immigration laws, citing deportation statistics in other states that proceeded without major incidents.

Shared distressing personal and professional accounts of detained individuals experiencing severe medical neglect and poor conditions in ICE custody.

Questioned why the federal government is placing high-risk detainees next to schools and children's activity centers, urging the city to fight back.

Argued that an ICE detention center undermines community values, safety, and trust, asking the city council to protect families and children.

Criticized the city's initial statement regarding a lack of jurisdiction, urging leaders to stand up against an inhumane facility that brings shame to Surprise.

Expressed deep concern as a parent over the proximity of the proposed detention center to schools, citing negative impacts on property values and community safety.

Urged the council to use municipal tools such as transparency demands, environmental reviews, and refusal of city subsidies to oppose the facility.

Condemned ICE operations and racial profiling, arguing that detention centers violate constitutional protections and human rights.

Warned that Surprise will become the epicenter of protests and public safety crises, urging the council to pass a resolution opposing the facility.

Expressed professional concerns as an architect regarding the inappropriate location and industrial warehouse conversion for housing human beings.

Argued that retrofitting a distribution warehouse for 1,500 people will severely burden water and sewer lines and leave behind an undesirable 'zombie building.'

Highlighted how other cities like Leavenworth, Kansas, are using land use rights and special use permits to fight back against federal detention facilities.

Shared nursing and community outreach experiences showing how ICE expansion creates fear, discourages people from seeking medical care, and destabilizes communities.

Raised critical infrastructure questions regarding power generation, water consumption, sewage capacity, and emergency evacuation plans for a 1,500-person facility.

Cited human rights reports regarding deportations and urged the city to inspect tenant improvements and enact a multi-year moratorium ordinance.

Expressed fear and anxiety felt by Hispanic U.S. citizens and residents, urging the council to reject a facility that breeds division.

Cited research on property value drops, increased crime risks, and infrastructure strain associated with expanded detention operations.

Stated that a merchandise warehouse is unfit for human detention and protested the lack of city permits and transparency.

Expressed disappointment that Surprise is not resisting the facility like other cities, calling the warehouse location ironic given its name.

Discussed civil disobedience and jury nullification concepts while criticizing federal policies and foreign training connections.

Spoke as a daughter of immigrants, stating that a detention center changes the soul of a city and creates pervasive fear.