- Judge Eumi K. Lee issued a preliminary injunction, stopping construction of the Gilroy detention center on September 12, 2026.
- The court found the government failed to conduct a meaningful environmental analysis before work began at the 25-acre site.
- Santa Clara County and California seek to permanently block the project under NEPA challenges.
Judge Eumi K. Lee ordered ICE to stop construction of a planned Gilroy detention center on September 12, 2026, blocking work at a 25-acre site near Gilroy while a legal challenge proceeds. The preliminary injunction covers the property at 7240 Holsclaw Road, in unincorporated Santa Clara County.
The order came from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Jose. Lee had previously extended a temporary pause while she considered whether to issue broader relief. Construction cannot proceed while the injunction remains in effect.
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The judge found that the federal government had not shown that it conducted a “meaningful environmental analysis” before work began. She also cited evidence that demolition and construction “increases the risk of releasing hazardous materials into the environment.”
The site has a troubled history. It formerly operated as an agricultural resource center, and the court noted prior research that “resulted in known hazardous waste violations.”
“meaningful environmental analysis”
“increases the risk of releasing hazardous materials into the environment”
Lee’s findings put environmental compliance at the center of the dispute. The state and county argue that federal officials needed to complete the required review and consult with state and local authorities before remodeling or developing the property.
The injunction stops work while the environmental claims proceed
The lawsuit, Santa Clara County v. Department of Homeland Security, No. 5:26-cv-05604, relies on the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Santa Clara County in challenging the project. The plaintiffs are seeking to block both construction and operation of the site.
Their broader request would permanently stop the facility, rather than merely pause work during the litigation. The injunction blocks additional construction as the environmental claims proceed.
The federal government can continue arguing that the project should proceed. The state and county are seeking relief that would extend beyond the current construction halt.
| Project detail | Figure or description |
|---|---|
| Location | 7240 Holsclaw Road, just outside Gilroy |
| Site size | 25-acre property |
| Capacity described in reporting | Up to 150 detainees |
| Temporary holding estimate given to the court | “approximately 10 detainees total might be held in the on-site holding area temporarily at one time” |
The facility’s planned size remains disputed. Federal officials separately told the court that approximately 10 detainees might be held temporarily in an on-site holding area at one time, while acknowledging that the maximum capacity could be higher.
Another description placed the potential capacity at up to 150 detainees. The competing figures reflect different descriptions of temporary holding space and the facility’s possible overall capacity.
The dispute began before demolition work started
California and Santa Clara County filed the lawsuit on June 10, 2026, in federal court in San Jose. The challenge followed opposition from state officials, county officials, and local residents over environmental and land-use concerns.
Work had already begun by spring 2026, according to attorneys for the agency. Those lawyers told the court that “interior demolition is largely completed.”
The federal government and the county agreed in July 2026 to pause work until September 9, 2026. That agreement created a temporary stopping point while the court considered the requested relief.
Lee issued a tentative ruling on September 4, 2026, indicating that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their environmental-review claim. The judge then held a hearing on September 8, 2026, and extended the pause for another week.
That extension carried the case toward the injunction issued September 12. It also set up the next court date, when Lee is expected to provide further guidance on the case and the continuing restrictions.
The September 15 court date could determine how long the halt lasts
The court set September 15, 2026, as the next decision point after the earlier extension. Further guidance could clarify the scope and duration of the injunction as the parties litigate the environmental claims.
The state and county are asking for relief that would stop the project permanently. That request goes beyond the immediate construction pause and would require the court to resolve the underlying challenge in their favor.
The injunction also affects the federal agencies responsible for the project. They may need to keep the site on hold and revisit environmental compliance before seeking to resume work.
Opponents gathered outside the courthouse and celebrated the continued halt. LoPresti described the court’s earlier signals as “incredibly encouraging.”
Local residents have opposed the facility over potential environmental and land-use effects.
The court’s order leaves construction stopped at the Holsclaw Road property as the case advances. The next scheduled date is September 15.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
