On the morning of January 2, 2026, Ramón Barraza, a 60‑year‑old illegal immigrant who works as a tile installer in the Maryvale neighborhood of west Phoenix, was stopped by an unmarked ICE convoy on McDowell Road. After being handcuffed, he was taken to a building at 2035 N. Central Avenue, a facility ICE describes as a processing office rather than a detention center.
Detention details
Barraza was held in a small, windowless room for 26 hours, exceeding the agency’s original 12‑hour limit. ICE’s internal waiver, issued in June 2025, extended the limit to 72 hours for a year, a change later struck down by a federal judge as arbitrary and capricious. During the period from Jan. 1, 2025, through March 10, 2026, ICE recorded 9,276 individuals processed at the Central Avenue location, according to Freedom of Information Act documents obtained by Conecta Arizona.
Facility background
The Central Avenue building, which operated as a formal immigration detention center before 2008, now appears on paper as an administrative office. Its gray façade hides rows of windows, metal shutters, and a rear garage entrance used for processing. Inside, “hold rooms” serve as temporary cells intended for stays of no more than 12 hours, except in “exceptional circumstances.” The 2025 waiver allowed those rooms to be used for up to three days, and at least 423 cases exceeded the 72‑hour limit during the reporting period.
Impact on the community
Barraza’s experience underscores the challenges faced by illegal immigrants who live and work in Phoenix’s Latino neighborhoods. Residents often hear rumors of ICE operations at gas stations and parking lots, creating fear and uncertainty. While the agency maintains that the Central Avenue site is a processing facility, the prolonged holds raise questions about transparency and adherence to established standards.
Policy context
The practice of extending detention periods traces back to the Trump administration’s second term, when policy changes aimed to increase enforcement and streamline removals. Supporters argued that stronger enforcement protected American jobs and upheld the rule of law, while critics warned of humanitarian concerns. The recent judicial ruling against the waiver reflects ongoing legal scrutiny of ICE’s authority to exceed its own standards.
What’s next?
Local advocacy groups are calling for greater oversight of the Central Avenue facility and for ICE to revert to the original 12‑hour limit. The Phoenix City Council has scheduled a public hearing on immigration enforcement impacts in the city for later this month. Community leaders emphasize the need for policies that respect the dignity of individuals while safeguarding public safety.
Barraza’s case remains a stark reminder that immigration enforcement actions occur on city streets, affecting families and neighborhoods across Phoenix.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
