California and Santa Clara County Sue Trump Administration Over Proposed ICE Facility in Gilroy
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County officials filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Trump administration to block a planned immigration facility near Gilroy, alleging violations of zoning laws and environmental regulations, according to the California Department of Justice.
What are the main allegations in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in San José, claims the federal government leased land zoned for agricultural use without proper notification or procedural compliance, according to court documents. The 25-acre site, located at 7240 Holsclaw Road, is alleged to violate state and local requirements for infrastructure and environmental impact assessments, per the California Attorney General’s office.
The suit also highlights concerns about the property’s history of hazardous waste from prior agricultural operations, which it says was not properly disposed of. The facility, leased for $26.5 million over 20 years by the Department of Homeland Security, is alleged to threaten endangered species and strain local water and waste systems, according to the lawsuit.
How does the federal government respond?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not commented publicly on the lawsuit, but the agency previously stated the project would be an ICE office, not a detention center, according to a statement provided to the San José Spotlight. However, state and local officials argue the facility could detain up to 150 people short-term, citing federal procurement records and community reports.
“The administration is trying to jam through a new facility on a community that does not want it, bulldozing over laws, shrouding their plans in secrecy and ignoring calls from the community to stop,” Bonta said during a news conference, marking the 71st lawsuit his office has filed against the Trump administration, according to a press release.
What is the legal basis for the challenge?
The lawsuit argues the federal government failed to notify Santa Clara County of its plans in 2023, as required by state law. The only formal communication was a one-paragraph letter from an Elmwood Capital representative, which described the project as “office and operations space” and requested exemption from local zoning reviews, according to court filings.
Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti criticized the lack of transparency, stating, “They are trying to move forward with this project with as little transparency as possible, and hoping that nobody notices.” The lawsuit seeks to enforce compliance with state and federal procedural requirements, including environmental reviews.
Why is this lawsuit significant?
This case adds to a broader pattern of legal challenges against ICE facilities under the Trump administration, which have faced scrutiny over overcrowding, sanitation, and detainee treatment. Advocates and local leaders have raised similar concerns in Dublin, where federal officials are negotiating the potential reuse of a former prison as an immigrant detention site, according to a letter from Congressional Democrats earlier this month.
The Gilroy facility’s proximity to the Gilroy Premium Outlets and its potential impact on a community known for agriculture have drawn additional scrutiny. The lawsuit also references a 2021 report by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife identifying the area as critical habitat for several endangered species.
What happens next?
The lawsuit seeks to halt construction and compel federal compliance with state and local regulations. A hearing date has not yet been set, and the Department of Homeland Security has not issued a formal response. The case could set a precedent for future immigration facility approvals, particularly in areas with strict zoning laws and environmental protections.