Canadian Firm Sells Warehouse for US ICE Use, Sparks Backlash

The Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Group's property development arm has acknowledged selling a warehouse in Hanover, Virginia, to a U.S. government contractor, only later learning that the buyer intends to convert it into a holding and processing facility for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The transaction, which remains pending final approvals, has drawn criticism from British Columbia officials concerned about Canadian businesses' involvement in U.S. immigration enforcement.

Jim Pattison Developments purchased the property in 2022 for approximately $10.4 million and completed construction in early 2024. According to the company, shifts in operating needs prompted the listing of the site for lease or sale. An offer from the unnamed contractor was accepted, but the firm stated it was unaware at the time of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's role as the ultimate owner or the building's planned use for ICE operations. "Some time later, we became aware of the ultimate owner and intended use of the building," the company said in a statement released Wednesday. The sale is still subject to closing conditions, and the firm emphasized its commitment to "complying with...