New Jersey leaders file lawsuit to stop proposed ICE detention center in Roxbury
ROXBURY, New Jersey (WABC) -- Officials in New Jersey and local leaders have filed a lawsuit to stop the federal government from turning a vacant warehouse into a massive immigration detention facility.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill was joined by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport on Friday to announce both the state and the Township of Roxbury are suing ICE and DHS to stop the plan.
DHS purchased the 470,000 square foot facility that would be able to hold up to 1,500 detainees.
"Neither DHS nor ICE ever contacted the township or collected any public input, a direct violation of multiple federal laws that require engagement on projects of this magnitude," Sherrill said.
The lawsuit claims ICE wants to convert the warehouse without addressing concerns about water, sewage and public safety. In the highlands area of New Jersey, development is restricted to protect clean water supplies that service the entire state.
"Turning a warehouse built with just 4 toilets into a facility capable of holding as many as 2,000 people will overburden local water and sewer infrastructure and strain local resources including emergency response operations," NJ Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.
"The safety and well-being of New Jerseyans will always be my top priority, and the Trump Administration's plans for a detention facility in Roxbury will not make our residents safer. Instead, this facility will overburden local services and infrastructure," Sherrill said. "These types of facilities also have a long track record of abuse, mistreatment, and unsafe conditions. This is not a partisan issue - Republican leaders in the community are similarly against this facility. That is why we are joining with Roxbury to stop this facility to protect the community and our Constitution."
A spokesperson for ICE responded to the lawsuit and said their case isn't about the environment, but about "trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again."
"The left didn't care about the mountains of litter that illegal aliens dropped on ranches and riverbeds during Biden's border crisis. They're feigning concern now because they want those same illegal aliens to stay forever and vote here," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said ICE evaluated the use of existing facilities to "help minimize environmental impacts, including potential impacts to protected species, sensitive natural resources, and valued cultural resources."
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