DHS scraps plan for converting NJ warehouse into detention center
The Department of Homeland Security is scrapping its plan to convert a vacant warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey, into an immigration detention center.
The department admitted as much in a court filing on Monday, noting it intends to sell the warehouse. The defendant also said it plans to provide an additional status report by July 17.
The case marks a win for New Jersey and Roxbury Township, which sued the Trump administration to pause the development of the Roxbury detention center. The plaintiffs argued DHS violated federal law by proceeding with its plan without completing the environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Trump administration decided to abandon the immigration facility last month before a judge could make a final decision in the case.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) hailed Monday’s legal development as a “major victory” for the state and township.
“This has never been a partisan case, because the plan to establish a detention center at the Roxbury warehouse was always unlawful,” she said in a statement. “Converting a warehouse for packages into a detention center for thousands of people would not only be inhumane but also have devastating local and environmental impacts—and it would not make New Jersey any safer. That’s why we took the Department to court and forced the Trump administration to abandon its plans.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement planned to use the Roxbury detention center to house up to 1,500 detainees and 400 staffers. DHS purchased the warehouse building for roughly $130 million.
Local officials quickly opposed the purchase before the lawsuit was brought. They argued the site lacks adequate water and sewer infrastructure to handle the sudden influx from a massive detention center. Officials also noted its location in the Highlands region is a key source for the state’s drinking water, which could have been put at risk.
Following the court filing, a DHS spokesperson confirmed the department will continue to use existing detention space with its state and county partners.
“From day one, DHS has remained singularly focused on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the United States and is always evaluating the best methods to do so,” the spokesperson said.
DHS has been backtracking on its plan to convert empty warehouses into detention centers since Secretary Markwayne Mullin took the job. His predecessor, Kristi Noem, spearheaded the warehouse purchases before she was fired.
New Jersey has been at odds with the federal government over immigration enforcement, particularly concerning the treatment of detainees at the Delaney Hall immigration facility in Newark. Anti-ICE protests outside the building have lasted for over a month now. Sherrill has been trying to force the facility’s closure, but she has been unsuccessful so far.