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Surprise council votes to send letter to DHS urging local-zoning compliance amid heated public comment on ICE facility
Summary
After debate and a brief executive-session recess for legal advice, the council approved sending a nonconfrontational letter to DHS asking that federal authorities follow local zoning; dozens of residents spoke during public comment opposing both a proposed ICE detention facility and a nearby data‑center project.
The Surprise City Council voted May 5 to send a letter to the Department of Homeland Security urging the agency to follow local zoning procedures and to consult with the city before advancing plans for a proposed facility. The decision followed a contentious discussion and a short recess into executive session for legal advice.
Councilmember Judd, who asked that the letter be drafted and framed nonconfrontationally, said the point was to make clear that "we would like them to follow our laws just like we expect everybody else to." Several council members asked for legal guidance about potential consequences while litigation between the state and federal governments is pending; Councilman Hastings said he wanted to be sure the city was not exposed by any steps it might take.
Councilman Duffy moved to recess into executive session so the council could receive legal advice about potential implications of sending the letter; that motion was seconded and approved. After reconvening, Judd moved to approve sending the letter; the motion carried. The clerk announced the council approved sending the letter.
Public comment that followed the council's action was lengthy and emotional. Dozens of residents used the meeting's public comment time to urge stronger action, to ask for an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) limiting operations, and to request a 3‑mile buffer between schools and any detention facility. "Public service is a service to all people," said Alexa Coulter, who urged leaders to speak clearly about the humanitarian concerns the facility raises. Multiple speakers said they are coordinating with the attorney general's office and encouraged residents to attend a Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting on related siting questions.
Other callers addressed a separate but nearby project: "Project Bacara," a proposed large data‑center development. Alexis Young and Maureen Miller said the complex — described in public comments as covering 163 acres with gas turbines and above‑ground propane storage — posed risks from air pollution, water use and interference with military flight corridors.
The council's action to send the DHS letter is procedural; it does not change federal authority but signals the city's formal position to DHS and documents local concerns. Councilmembers said the city will continue to coordinate with state officials and the attorney general's office, and staff will provide any additional legal guidance requested by the dais.
What's next: the city will send the approved letter to DHS and continue to monitor litigation and county permitting actions; residents opposed to Project Bacara were encouraged to attend the county supervisors' meeting the next day.
