Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor opposes potential legal action to block ICE detention center

PHOENIX – Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor said Wednesday that taking legal action against the federal immigration detention facility under development in his city would be a waste of resources.

Sartor said he’s taking a “pragmatic approach” to the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement project, with a focus on open communication with both ICE and the residents of his fast-growing West Valley suburb.

“I think people are so polarized on this issue and they’re dug in on their position, so I think no matter what is said or done, you’re not going to make everybody happy,” he told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

The Surprise mayor said the city lacks legal grounds to prevent ICE from converting a 418,000-square-foot warehouse into an immigration detention center. The federal government purchased the property at 13290 W. Sweetwater Ave., near Dysart and Waddell Roads, for $70 million in January.

“I think it would give people false hope if we took any action as far as ordinance or legal action. And plus, we’d be expending city resources, the precious resources that we have — time, money and staff — to fight a lawsuit that probably wouldn’t come to fruition. And so, that’s not something that I’m willing to do as mayor,” he said.

The mayor has one of seven votes on items considered by the Surprise City Council, so he could still be outvoted if the majority disagrees with his approach.

Last week, dozens of Democratic state lawmakers sent a letter to the Surprise City Council urging it to oppose the project “at all costs.”

Surprise mayor wants residents on community relations board

From what he’s learned to this point, Sartor doesn’t expect the ICE facility to open before Oct. 1. Meanwhile, the city is putting together a community relations board.

“We’ll work through that and see who we’re going to appoint, but I’d like to see some residents on there,” he said.

Sartor said communication with ICE has improved since the government’s plans were first revealed. In addition, there are signs the community is becoming less likely to blame city officials for something that is largely beyond their control.

“For some that are more understanding and willing to … accept the reality of that we live in, I think that there are some that are understanding,” he said.

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