Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County are pausing their federal lawsuit over a proposed immigration detention center at a warehouse northwest of the city, after the Department of Homeland Security said it no longer plans to build the facility there.
The city and county sued in June to block the detention facility, which they said could house up to 10,000 people. They argued it would strain local water and sewage systems and could overwhelm emergency services and law enforcement.
In July, DHS told the city and county it had dropped the plan and would instead designate the warehouse as excess property, which could be sold or transferred.
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In a court filing Wednesday, the city, the county and DHS jointly asked the judge to pause the lawsuit for 60 days. The filing bars DHS from taking any action to convert the property into a detention center while the case is on hold.
Within that period, both sides must file a joint update on the status of the property disposal process and propose next steps for the lawsuit. The pause ends automatically once that report is filed, or sooner if either side asks to lift it because the federal government's plans for the site change.
The pause does not resolve or dismiss the case. It stops litigation for 60 days. It won't take effect until Judge Jill Parrish signs the proposed order.
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