A vacant warehouse originally intended for Amazon in Hutchins, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, is reportedly tied to a proposed $80 million ICE expansion according to Jacobin. The property has drawn scrutiny after records for ownership led to a dead end.
However, outlet Jacobin reported that Majestic Realty, which is owned by Los Angeles Lakers and Kings co-owner and Republican donor Ed Roski Jr., is listed as the broker contact on the listing.
While some outlets have reported the facility was purchased, others say the transaction has not been independently confirmed, and DHS officials have declined to clarify the status of the deal.
Local religious groups in North Texas, like Clergy League for Emergency Action and Response (CLEAR) say they believe the warehouse has already been acquired as part of a plan to dramatically expand Trump’s immigration detention capacity. The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly confirmed a finalized purchase, and Hutchins city officials say they were not formally notified and opposed the project, citing concerns with municipal resources.
Municipalities authorize the construction of warehouses to move packages and distribute products, but the demand for a 9,500 bed detention center would double the size of the Hutchins and pull resources from the city.
If the Hutchins warehouse is ultimately converted into a large-scale detention facility, the involvement of a high-profile sports franchise co-owner could draw national attention. The Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, in which Ed Roski Jr. holds ownership stakes, are globally recognized brands. Any perceived connection between a major detention expansion and a team executive could raise reputational concerns for those organizations.
