National Office Expansion Accelerates ICE Growth

Rapid National Office Expansion

According to Bisnow, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expanding its national office footprint with more than 150 planned locations. The agency is adding space to support a broader deportation campaign. Lawmakers also directed ICE to hire 13,000 additional employees under new federal legislation.

Meanwhile, ICE and the General Services Administration are using national security provisions to secure leases. These provisions allow the agencies to bypass standard competitive bidding requirements. As a result, they can fast-track acquisitions despite a broader pause on federal property deals.

Concentration in Key Markets

The national office growth is concentrated in Texas, New York, and California. Many new ICE offices are being located near schools, courthouses, and other sensitive sites, prompting local pushback. ICE spent $200M on properties in Pennsylvania and $70M in Arizona, highlighting the scale of its current investment in real estate.

What’s Next for National Office Leasing

ICE’s rapid expansion is supported by a dedicated GSA “surge team” and streamlined approval in support of enforcement and legal operations. The accelerated leasing effort stands in contrast to broader discussions in Washington about downsizing and potentially selling off significant portions of the federal office portfolio. With more than $10B in planned construction and leasing, national office requirements for government agencies are reshaping demand, especially in areas adjacent to existing facilities and transportation infrastructure.