Concerns raised about potential plan to turn vacant Woodbury warehouse into ICE detention facility
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By Jennifer Hoff, KARE 11
There are reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is considering turning an empty warehouse in Woodbury into an immigrant detention center.
The Washington Post first reported the news in December and it's since sparked a lot of pushback, including at Tuesday's Washington County board meeting.
The 500,000 square foot building sits for sale off I-94 and the Post reports it could hold 1,500 detainees. The article says the Trump administration is eyeing it as one of 16 "processing centers" planned across the country.
“This is not how we are in Minnesota, it’s not how we are in Washington County,” said county board Commissioner Karla Bigham, who has served for seven years.
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She says 200 people showed up to the meeting.
"We must pursue every possibility, no matter how small, to push back," said Woodbury resident Chris Tice.
Bigham says the board doesn't support this idea either and plans to send a letter to Minnesota's congressional delegation expressing their concerns, which include public health and safety risks, community impact and lack of transparency. She says the local government would also lose tax dollars if the federal government ever owned the building.
"But most importantly, we can't afford it from a constitutional perspective, a due process perspective and for sure, a humanitarian perspective," said Bigham.
Last summer, the newspaper also reported the administration was eyeing a private prison that has long been closed in western Minnesota for the same reason. Back then, Appleton city officials told KARE 11 Reporter Jennifer Hoff its owner is "aggressively pursuing a contract with ICE".
The owner, CoreCivic, also responded to Hoff then in a statement, writing,"We continue to explore opportunities with our government partners for which this site could be a viable solution."
The Woodbury mayor also released a statement last week confirming she has not been contacted by any federal agency about acquiring the building and that the people connected to the property told her they're also not aware of any pending leases.
The Department of Homeland Security didn't respond to KARE 11's questions as of Tuesday evening, but told the Post that it couldn't confirm its reporting and also didn't answer any further questions.
The issue is not on Wednesday night's city council agenda, but there is time allotted for public comment.
"People, again, want to be heard and they want transparency, and I think that's what government should be doing," said Bigham.
Statement from Mayor Anne Burt
Jan. 9, 2026
A recent news report indicated Woodbury may be included among potential locations for a future U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. Since that report, residents have contacted the city with concerns, and many have expressed strong opposition to a facility of this nature.
I understand that uncertainty like this can be unsettling, and I appreciate the residents who have reached out with questions and concerns. In moments like these, people deserve clear, verified information -- and a steady, transparent response from their local government. I want to be clear: I share those concerns, and our Councilmembers and city staff do as well.
At this time, city staff have not been contacted by ICE or any federal agency regarding the acquisition or use of any property in Woodbury for this purpose. The city first learned of the report through residents reaching out to staff. In response, staff has repeatedly contacted individuals connected to the warehouse property on Hudson Road that has been referenced publicly, and those parties indicated they are not aware of any pending or proposed lease or sale involving ICE. We’ve also reached out to our federal elected officials, the Department of Homeland Security and the original media source and have not learned any additional information on the matter. If the city were to be contacted regarding this type of use, we will work to confirm the city’s regulatory ability based on the information provided.
If an application or notification from the federal government is received, the city will facilitate conversations with decision-makers and invite them to participate in public discussions. We will keep the community informed if we obtain additional information.
Board of Commissioners letter
Dear Senators Klobuchar and Smith and Representatives Craig and McCollum,
On December 24, 2025, the Washington Post reported that a Department of Homeland Security document identified the City of Woodbury as a potential site for an ICE detention center with a capacity of up to 1,500 detainees. Local news reports indicate the proposed location is a newly built, vacant warehouse at 11435 Hudson Road.
Residents of Washington County have expressed deep concern about this proposal, contacting the County Board and attending public meetings on January 6 and 13. Their concerns are urgent and serious, including:
Public health and safety risks: Warehouses are not designed for human habitation. They may lack adequate heating, cooling, water, sanitation, and lodging facilities required to ensure the safety and wellbeing of detainees.
Community impact: The proposed site is adjacent to two schools, a large church, and other facilities that serve children and families. Placing a detention center here is incompatible with these community uses and raises significant safety concerns.
Lack of transparency: There has been no meaningful communication from the federal government regarding plans for the detention center or opportunities for community engagement in decision-making.
The County Board strongly opposes any effort to establish an immigration detention center in Woodbury or elsewhere in Washington County. Beyond the local safety and compatibility concerns, such a facility would place substantial additional strain on county services, including law enforcement, public health, transportation, and other departments, at a time when resources are already stretched to meet state and federal mandates.
We respectfully request that you:
1. Contact the Department of Homeland Security to obtain full information regarding any plans for a federal detention center in Washington County.
2. Ensure timely public disclosure of any information received so that the county, the City of Woodbury, and our residents are fully informed.
3. Advocate for transparency and community engagement in any federal decision-making process related to the proposed facility.
The people of Washington County deserve to know whether a detention center is being planned in their community and to have their voices heard before any decisions are made. Your leadership and oversight are critical to safeguarding public safety, preserving community integrity, and ensuring federal accountability.
Thank you for your immediate attention and support on this matter.
