California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti filed a lawsuit seeking to halt construction of a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on agricultural land near Gilroy, arguing the project violates multiple state and federal laws.
The lawsuit, filed June 10 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenges plans by the federal government to develop an ICE facility on property that was leased by a private developer in January 2025, says a press release from the county.
According to the complaint, the site is expected to serve as an Enforcement and Removal Operations office, a type of ICE facility generally intended for administrative functions and short-term detention.
County and state officials argue the federal government moved forward with the project without conducting required environmental reviews or consulting local agencies. They also argue the proposed use conflicts with longstanding agricultural protections on the property.
“Under this Administration, we’ve seen ICE offices have become mini-detention centers, despite being unequipped for long-term holding. That’s unacceptable,” Bonta said in a statement. “So is the secrecy surrounding the details of this project.
“But one thing is clear: ICE’s plans to construct a facility near Gilroy violate multiple federal laws. We’re suing to stop this project and protect the interests of California communities.”
LoPresti said the county is concerned about potential environmental impacts, effects on infrastructure and the treatment of individuals who could be held at the facility.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, the Administrative Procedure Act and California’s Williamson Act, which preserves agricultural land with contracts restricting nonagricultural development.
According to the complaint, the property on Holsclaw Road has been protected for agricultural use since at least the 1960s. The land also provides habitat for threatened and endangered species. State and county officials argue that developing the site could affect farmland, wildlife habitat, roadways, wastewater systems and drinking water infrastructure.
The lawsuit seeks a court order permanently blocking construction.
Santa Clara County has maintained policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and has participated in multiple lawsuits involving so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.
County officials said they currently have 11 active cases against the Trump administration, including the newly filed challenge to the proposed ICE facility.
Federal officials had not publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of the announcement.
