Canadian company cancels Virginia warehouse sale to DHS for ICE facility

(TNND) — A Canadian company revealed on Friday that it was cancelling the sale of a warehouse in Virginia after it turned out to be tied to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wanting to use it for an immigration “holding” facility.

In a letter on Jan. 21, Homeland Security wrote to officials in Hanover County, Va., saying they planned to buy a 43.49-acre property in Ashland to support ICE operations.

Specifically noted are renovations to make room for “holding and processing spaces,” offices and cafeterias.

Virginia Public Media (VPM) reported in January that the Hanover Board of Supervisors opposed the acquisition but had limited power to stop a federal building from opening.

Jim Pattinson Developments said in a statement last week that it had accepted the offer to sell the warehouse before becoming aware of the potential new owner and its use.

“We understand that the conversation around immigration policy and enforcement is particularly heated, and has become much more so over the past few weeks,” a statement read.

On Friday, the company released a short statement that the sale would not move forward.

“The transaction to sell our industrial building in Ashland, Virginia will not be proceeding,” the company said.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and DHS have not confirmed next steps for the facility.

The sale came under intense criticism after two people were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis last month, prompting widespread protests.