Councilmembers Release Statement on ICE Facility Special Session

Published on October 02, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (October 2, 2026) – Councilmembers Sukh Kaur, Phyllis Viagran, Teri Castillo, Marina Alderete Gavito, and Ivalis Meza-Gonzalez released the following joint statement on a special session to discuss evaluating the impact of the proposed Eastside Detention Facility on SAWS and CPS Energy:

“In duty to our community, we asked Mayor Jones for a City Council special session as soon as possible to discuss the policy request for an assessment detailing potential impacts of the Eastside ICE Detention Facility on our utilities. 

“It has been apparent from its inception that this facility will not only be harmful to our residents but also to our infrastructure and environment. The fact that the Federal Government has elected to disregard the community concerns and apparently not comply with federal law reinforces the need for the City to act with urgency in protecting all of our residents. 

“Our democracy only works if government follows the same rules as the people it serves.

“Public utilities belong to the public. Any community impact for this project requires analysis.

“The time for all of City Council to unite against the placement of this atrocity exhibition in our backyard is now. We Councilmembers fully support the City doing everything in its power – including litigation avenues – to preserve our city’s humanity and compassion towards all people.”