Report flags potential ICE legal office in Downtown Jacksonville, but leasing status remains unconfirmed

A downtown address appears in federal leasing records tied to ICE’s legal arm

A new report has identified One Enterprise Center on Water Street as a potential Jacksonville location for the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), a unit within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that represents the Department of Homeland Security in immigration removal proceedings. The listing has raised questions locally about whether ICE is preparing to open a new office Downtown.

As of this week, a lease agreement for the Water Street site has not been publicly confirmed. A senior commercial leasing broker connected to the property told a local business outlet that they were not aware of any finalized deal involving the agency, leaving unclear whether the address reflects an active negotiation, a preliminary site search, or a plan that could change before execution.

Jacksonville’s current ICE footprint and what would be new

ICE already maintains a field office presence in Jacksonville. The agency’s public office listings include a location on Veveras Drive that serves multiple Northeast Florida counties, including Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, Clay, Baker, Flagler and others.

The potential Downtown site is significant because it is associated with OPLA. Florida’s publicly listed OPLA locations currently include offices in Orlando, Miami (two locations) and Pompano Beach. If established, a Jacksonville OPLA office would expand the agency’s in-state legal network into Northeast Florida.

National expansion context: staffing growth is driving space needs

The Downtown Jacksonville address surfaced as ICE and the Department of Homeland Security pursue a broader national facilities expansion intended to support increased hiring. Internal planning documents described a rapid build-out of office capacity for ICE components, including OPLA and Enforcement and Removal Operations, with the stated goal of adding personnel on an accelerated timeline and securing space that can be occupied quickly.

Separately, ICE has declined to confirm specific prospective office locations in some cases, citing security concerns and threats targeting personnel. That posture can complicate efforts by local governments, nearby businesses, and residents to understand the status of potential new federal leases until contracts are executed and publicly visible through routine channels.

What to watch next

• Whether a federal lease for One Enterprise Center appears in public contracting or real estate records, which would provide a clearer signal that the site is moving from planning to execution.

• Any updates to ICE’s official office locator reflecting additional Jacksonville-area units, including a possible OPLA designation.

• Local security, access, and operational details—such as public-facing services and hours—if the location is formally established.

At present, the Downtown Jacksonville address should be treated as a possible location under consideration rather than a confirmed opening.