(MILWAUKEE) The federal government has extended its lease on the downtown Milwaukee building at 310 E. Knapp St. used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through at least April 2026, with options to extend through 2028, according to federal lease records and the building owner. The lease had been set to expire in April 2025. The property is owned by the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). JoEllen Burdue, MSOE’s senior communications director, said the school has no immediate plans for the site and will reassess next year whether the government seeks a longer lease.
The extension comes while a new ICE facility rises on Milwaukee’s Northwest Side at 11925 W. Lake Park Dr. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal real estate, confirmed ICE as the tenant for the new site. Designed as a modern field office and processing center, the facility is expected to house about 29 officers and staff.
It is planned to operate during regular business hours, typically until 5 p.m., and includes security features common to federal enforcement buildings, such as a sally port for secure detainee transfer and an eight-foot chain link fence with privacy slats around key areas.
Lease Extended Amid New Facility Build
The decision to keep the current downtown footprint while building out a new field office signals a strategy to maintain continuous operations in Milwaukee. Practically, the lease extension ensures that ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations can keep running at Knapp Street while construction and fit-out proceed on the Northwest Side.
It also gives federal officials flexibility if the new facility’s timeline shifts. MSOE’s role as landlord places the private university at the center of a sensitive local debate, even as it keeps distance from day-to-day federal operations.
Burdue noted the university will revisit the arrangement in 2026, consistent with the lease options that run to 2028. If the government exercises those options, the Knapp Street site could remain active beyond the initial extension period.
GSA oversight also means local zoning cannot block either the downtown lease or the new build. Federal supremacy in leasing and operations limits City Hall’s power to shape or slow these activities. That legal framework has frustrated some local officials, who argue they have little say in where or how ICE sets up in Milwaukee.
Key takeaway: The lease extension preserves operational continuity and gives the federal government flexibility while the new facility is completed.
Budget and Policy Signals
The construction and the extra time on the downtown lease sit against a larger federal backdrop. ICE’s budget for 2025 was set at about $9.7 billion, roughly $1 billion more than in 2024. In addition, an extra $29.85 billion was allocated through 2029 under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” for enforcement and removal operations, according to recent federal summaries.
Policy analysts interpret these numbers as a significant funding increase for immigration enforcement. Noelle Smart of the Vera Institute has said this funding level suggests a plan to increase arrests and detentions. That reading helps explain why the government would invest in a new Milwaukee facility while holding onto the existing lease at 310 E. Knapp St. for at least another year.
A larger, updated workspace typically supports more interviews, case processing, and coordination with federal and local partners. GSA’s confirmation that ICE is the tenant in the Northwest Side building clarifies its function: a field office and processing center, not a long-term detention site.
Still, the presence of a sally port, perimeter fencing, and controlled entry points makes clear the facility is built for secure intake and transport. For residents nearby, those features may raise concerns about traffic, privacy, and safety, even with daytime hours.
For readers seeking official information about ICE operations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, the agency maintains an overview at https://www.ice.gov/about-ice/ero.
Community Impact and Next Steps
The expansion of ICE’s footprint in Milwaukee has drawn sharp responses at City Hall and in affected neighborhoods. Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa (8th District) has voiced concern about the lease extension, pointing to the stress felt by immigrant families who fear arrests or fast-tracked removals. Ald. Larresa Taylor (9th District) has noted Department of Homeland Security requests for building adjustments at the new site, underscoring local tension around design, security, and community fit.
For families with mixed status, the news lands close to home. A parent with an open case may still need to report for check-ins at the Knapp Street office while the new facility comes online. Advocates say that can mean tough choices: missing work, arranging child care, and traveling across the city, often without easy access to legal help.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, growth in field-office capacity can raise the volume of interviews and enforcement actions in a region, even if detention beds are located elsewhere.
Practically, the extended lease means ICE will continue to meet people at 310 E. Knapp St. through at least April 2026, including for routine reporting and case processing. The Northwest Side site, once open, is expected to take over as the primary hub. That transition period could stretch into 2025 or 2026, depending on construction, tenant improvements, and security checks.
Key facility facts shaping local expectations
- Staffing: About 29 officers and staff planned at the new office.
- Hours: Regular business hours, typically until 5 p.m.
- Security: Sally port for secure transport; eight-foot chain link fence with privacy slats.
- Legal framework: Federal leasing and operations supersede local zoning and most municipal controls.
Landlords and tenants in the area are also watching. A federal lease can signal stability for nearby businesses seeking daytime customers. At the same time, community groups often organize around such sites to offer “know your rights” sessions, legal clinic referrals, and language support. Those efforts tend to grow when federal enforcement budgets rise.
MSOE’s stated plan to reassess in 2026 leaves the door open for several outcomes:
- The government exercises options through 2028, and the downtown lease runs alongside the new field office for a time.
- The Knapp Street site winds down after the new site stabilizes operations.
- GSA adjusts space needs if federal priorities shift.
If federal priorities remain as signaled by current budgets and construction plans, Milwaukee is likely to see a sustained ICE presence.
What people under supervision should know
- Continue to show up for scheduled appointments.
- Keep address and phone numbers current with ICE.
- Bring any requested documents to reporting appointments.
- Follow reporting rules until officially told otherwise by an officer.
- Consider speaking with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative for case-specific guidance.
Important warning: This article does not address individual cases. For tailored legal advice, contact an immigration attorney or accredited representative.
As construction continues on the Northwest Side and the downtown lease carries into 2026, Milwaukee remains a focal point in Wisconsin’s immigration enforcement map. The federal government’s twin-track approach — building new capacity while keeping the current office open — reflects a wider push to expand field operations. How that plays out on the ground will depend on staffing levels, case priorities, and community response, all of which will shape day-to-day life for immigrants across southeastern Wisconsin.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE’s downtown Milwaukee lease at 310 E. Knapp St. was extended to April 2026 with options to 2028 as a new GSA-managed field office for about 29 staff is built on the Northwest Side, preserving operations amid increased federal funding and sparking local concern.
