D10 & D9 Councilmembers Oppose City Lawsuit Over ICE Facility

Published on October 13, 2026

SAN ANTONIO (October 13, 2026) – Today, District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte and District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears opposed the City of San Antonio's lawsuit against the federal government over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility at 542 S.E. Loop 410. The suit challenges the facility on environmental grounds.

"This lawsuit is the wrong fight, and taxpayers will foot the bill," Whyte said. "It won't stop this facility from opening. Under the Supremacy Clause, federal law controls immigration, and City Hall has no business interfering. Our residents sent us here to keep them safe, fix our infrastructure and make San Antonio a better place to live. Washington sets immigration policy. We've got more than enough work to do right here at home."

On October 8, Whyte and Spears cast the only votes against directing SAWS and CPS Energy to study the site's utility impacts, arguing the studies and a lawsuit lead to the same place: delay paid for by residents. "Where was this environmental concern when the city operated the Migrant Resource Center?" Spears said. "The double standard is glaring. This lawsuit is political theater at taxpayers' expense."