Construction of a proposed ICE detention center in Gilroy has been halted after a federal judge ruled the project did not meet environmental standards.

The preliminary injunction will keep construction paused while a lawsuit filed by the County of Santa Clara and the state of California moves forward. Santa Clara County leaders praised the decision, calling it a victory for the community.

"We are proud to announce Monday that the Federal District court issued a preliminary injunction late Friday night, halting the project here," Santa Clara Co. Counsel Tony LoPresti said.

A federal judge found ICE failed to follow the national environmental policy act, saying there was no proof that the federal government conducted an environmental analysis before construction.

As a result, work at the proposed facility is legally suspended while the case proceeds.

County Supervisor Betty Duong said, "Today, construction is stopped because no administration, no matter how powerful, should be able to come into a community to bypass the rules meant to protect the people and the environment, and simply tell local governments to get out of the way."

The proposed detention center would be built on a 24-acre site east of the Gilroy Premium Outlets.

The project has faced opposition since plans were discovered in May.

LoPresti said the facility would overwhelm the existing septic system. He also said hazardous materials on the site could pose risks to nearby residents if construction continued.

"The evidence presented shows that the federal government didn't think this through at all," LoPresti said. "The real question is why throw away good money after bad money? Why waste even more taxpayer money trying to salvage a project that should never have been cited here in the first place?"

County officials said the federal government will have an opportunity to comply with environmental laws that, according to the lawsuit, were not followed before construction began.

A future court hearing will determine what activities, if any, ICE may conduct at the site while the injunction remains in effect, including potential environmental testing.

Community leaders said their concerns extend beyond environmental issues and applauded the judge's ruling.

"The Department of Homeland Security thought it could quickly and quietly construct a brand new holding facility in our community," Rebeca Armendariz, who represents the ICE Out of Gilroy Coalition, said. "What it got instead was quick action from the state of California and Santa Clara County to stop it in its tracks."

The next court date in the case is scheduled for Sept. 30. County leaders said they expect the legal fight to continue and pledged to remain organized as they oppose future federal actions in the South Bay.