Councilmembers Seek Special Session on Proposed Eastside ICE Detention Facility

Five San Antonio City Councilmembers are asking Mayor Jones to call a special session to discuss the potential effects of the proposed Eastside Detention Facility on the city’s public utilities.

Councilmembers Sukh Kaur, Phyllis Viagran, Teri Castillo, Marina Alderete Gavito and Ivalis Meza-Gonzalez released a joint statement October 2 about the request. They said the session should address an assessment of potential impacts on San Antonio Water System, or SAWS, and CPS Energy.

The councilmembers said the proposed Eastside ICE Detention Facility could affect residents, infrastructure and the environment. They also raised concerns that the federal government has disregarded community concerns and may not be complying with federal law.

“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,” the councilmembers said.

They emphasized that public utilities belong to the public and said any community impact connected to the project requires analysis.

The councilmembers also called for the full City Council to oppose the facility’s placement in the community. Their statement said the city should use every available avenue, including potential litigation, to protect residents and preserve what they described as the city’s humanity and compassion toward all people.

The statement was issued jointly by Kaur, Viagran, Castillo, Alderete Gavito and Meza-Gonzalez. The proposed facility and its potential effects on SAWS and CPS Energy are the focus of the requested special session.