Federal government to sell Texas warehouses once planned as ICE detention centers

Texas congresswoman Veronica Escobar said the federal government was planning to sell three warehouses outside of El Paso that were originally intended to be used as detention centers for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.The federal government purchased the warehouses in Socorro last year for nearly $123 million to convert them into detention centers that would hold up to 8,500 immigrants awaiting deportation.Escobar on Tuesday said the warehouses were transferred to the General Services Administration."This means the warehouses will be put up for sale, and they will no longer be used by the federal government for detention purposes," Escobar said.Escobar said the decision for ICE to leave the area would help the community with its plans to grow."The community of Socorro has been working on an economic development vision and plan to grow their economy while embracing their rich history," Escobar said. "The community has also faced challenges with water, wastewater, and general