Trump’s $45 billion expansion of immigrant detention sites faces pushback from communities

The Trump administration's proposed $45 billion expansion of immigrant detention sites is facing opposition from communities. Federal officials are touring potential sites, such as warehouses in Belton and Kansas City, Missouri, in January 2026, to repurpose them as ICE detention facilities. These visits have sparked protests, including demonstrations where participants are clad in red cloaks inspired by "The Handmaid's Tale." In response to the expansion, California Democratic lawmakers announced a bill in Sacramento in January 2026 to tax companies that profit from immigration detention facilities. The pushback highlights growing concerns over the expansion's impact on local communities and the ethics of profiting from immigrant detention.

In February 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a surge of immigration raids in California, detaining multiple residents, including at least one US citizen. These actions sparked protests across southern California under the banner of the ‘ICE Out of Everywhere’ campaign. Demonstrators faced arrests and injuries during these protests. The raids occurred under the Trump administration, which had overseen an increase in immigration enforcement activities. Videos circulating online prompted concern and fueled the public response to the ICE operations.