WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security is pausing the purchase of new warehouses intended to house immigrants as it reviews contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to a senior Homeland Security official. The department is also scrutinizing warehouse purchases that have already been made, according to a senior Homeland Security official.

Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin inherited a $38.3 billion plan to boost detention capacity to 92,000 beds by acquiring eight large-scale detention centers capable of housing 7,000 to 10,000 detainees each and 16 smaller regional processing centers. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that "As with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals."

Eleven warehouses have been purchased in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah with the federal government spending a combined $1.074 billion. Under former Secretary Kristi Noem, Immigration and Customs Enforcement bought mega warehouses around the country that could house up to 8,000 immigrants per facility.

"We've got to protect the homeland and we're going to do that. But obviously we want to work with community leaders," said Mullin during his confirmation hearing. "It's important that we're talking to the communities and if we're having additional needs, we can work with the cities." "One thing I do know is construction," said Mullin.

The pause in warehouse purchasing may be only temporary, according to two senior DHS officials. While warehouse purchasing is on hold, plans are moving forward to develop facilities that have already been acquired, according to two senior DHS officials.

Many residents objected on moral grounds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's presence in their neighborhoods. Some residents questioned whether the new detention facilities would strain local resources such as sewer and water systems.

Lawsuits are pending in three states where warehouses have been purchased. Maryland sued successfully to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement from developing a warehouse near Hagerstown. Eight warehouse purchase deals were scuttled, including in Kansas City, Missouri, when owners decided not to sell.

The Department of Homeland Security plans to cap occupied beds at 542 in the warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, which was initially planned as a 1,500-bed processing site, according to Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor. Mullin was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security last week.