On March 18, hundreds of protesters gathered in Salt Lake City to oppose the planned establishment of a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, voicing strong resistance to what they describe as the expansion of “concentration camps” referring to detention and deportation operations targeting immigrant communities.
The protest took place outside a large warehouse recently purchased by the Department of Homeland Security, which is expected to be converted into a massive ICE detention center. Property records show that the property was bought for $145.4 million from a Delaware registered LLC.
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The DHS budget approved by congress provides $45 billion for the building and expansion of detention centers through 2029. A total of $3.8 billion of that is earmarked for 2026 and is already fueling ICE’s acquisition of warehouse facilities, like the one in Salt Lake City, across the United States.
Demonstrators assembled near the proposed facility site, calling attention to the growing climate of fear among migrant families and communities. Protesters emphasized that ICE operations have led to widespread anxiety, family separations, and increased surveillance, arguing that the construction of new infrastructure will only intensify these conditions. Participants carried signs and chanted slogans demanding an end to raids, detentions, and what they characterized as the criminalization of migration.
Organizers highlighted that the protest is part of a broader national wave of resistance against aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Previous demonstrations in Salt Lake City have drawn thousands, reflecting deep and growing opposition among residents to ICE’s presence and actions in the region.
Protesters also pointed to concerns over the use of local facilities for federal enforcement purposes, arguing that communities should not be complicit in policies that undermine human rights and dignity. Many stressed solidarity with immigrant workers and families, calling for investments in community support rather than the building of deportation and detention enforcement facilities.
Four individuals were arrested by authorities during the protest.
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