ICE Plans Detention Center in Roxbury, Sparking Political Clash in New Jersey

• ICE Detention Center Proposed in New Jersey
• Federal Lawsuit Underway
• Protests in Roxbury Township

The proposal to convert a massive warehouse in Roxbury into an immigration detention facility has ignited an intense debate in New Jersey.

The plan by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would adapt the site to house up to 1,500 detainees.

The initiative has generated immediate opposition from Democratic Governor Mikie Sherrill.

While the project advances at the federal level, tensions between the state government and Washington continue to grow around the ICE detention center in Roxbury.

Governor Questions Impact on Safety and the Community

Sherrill expressed strong opposition, arguing that the local infrastructure is not prepared to handle a facility of that size. The governor also raised concerns about public safety, citing recent federal operations in Newark that ended in a multi-vehicle crash.

She further warned about the potential environmental impact, increased traffic, and pressure on municipal resources in Roxbury Township. In a letter sent to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the governor questioned the lack of transparency regarding the federal government’s plans.

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Sherrill also said she is concerned about the well-being and rights of the individuals who could be detained at the facility. She emphasized that the state will use all available legal tools to protect the community.

On February 11, Sherrill signed an executive order limiting the use of state territories for federal civil immigration operations. According to the governor, the measure seeks to prevent local law enforcement from becoming tools that create fear among residents.

Protests and Local Opposition to the Detention Center

The debate extends beyond politics, as hundreds of residents have participated in meetings and demonstrations. Many members of the community oppose turning the 470,000-square-foot warehouse into the ICE detention center in Roxbury.

Democratic Senator Andy Kim has visited the site and met with local officials to express his opposition. Kim noted that the building is larger than eight football fields and located in a residential area.

The senator also highlighted that even in a municipality led by Republicans, there is significant resistance to the project. Residents argue that the debate goes beyond immigration status and instead focuses on the human impact of such a facility.

If built, the proposed detention center would become one of the largest in the state. The controversy has united diverse groups who share concerns about the project’s potential effects on the community.

Federal Lawsuit Intensifies the Conflict

At the same time, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey and Governor Sherrill. The federal government argues that Executive Order No. 12 interferes with the enforcement of immigration laws.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that states cannot obstruct federal efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. From the federal government’s perspective, state policies labeled as “sanctuary” policies should not override national authority.

Sherrill, who recently took office, has also encouraged residents to monitor ICE activity. As part of that effort, the state launched a portal allowing residents to upload videos of interactions with federal agents.

The DOJ lawsuit cited this action as another example of alleged interference. The future of the ICE detention center in Roxbury now depends not only on administrative decisions but also on a legal battle that could redefine the balance between state and federal authority on immigration enforcement, according to El Diario NY and PBS.