We oppose the potential establishment of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) office in a vacant 9,000-square-foot building located in the City of Suffolk.

This unified effort against the office includes participation from local leaders, ministers, African American community groups and respected advocacy organizations, in the Latino and Hispanic community such as the Chamber for Hispanic Progress and We Are CASA.

The coalition stands in solidarity with one clear message: this facility is not welcome in Suffolk.

Communities across the country have experienced the far-reaching impacts of ICE satellite offices—impacts that extend beyond enforcement and create a measurable economic ripple effect that has disrupted the immigrant community workforce participation, and local residents are determined to prevent similar outcomes here. Community members have expressed their concerns to local government officials, who have acknowledged and voiced agreement with the community’s position.

Despite this, the property owner, Mr. Garcia, has characterized the matter as “just business,” while the City of Suffolk has described it as a land use issue. However, residents and leaders assert that this is not merely procedural—it is a moral issue that affects the fabric, safety, and trust within the community.

We believe we have a moral responsibility to stand together and push back against this proposed encroachment into our community.

If you would like to directly express your concerns to the property owner you can contact SimIS, Inc. at their public contact form or office phone number, https://simisinc.com/contact-us +1 (757) 399-4502. Please respectfully inform them that here in Suffolk, we do not want, or need, ICE in our community and that we are opposed to any plans to lease office space to ICE.