Official Site of The State of New Jersey

TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill today expressed her opposition to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem regarding DHS’s plan to convert a 470,000 square foot industrial warehouse in Roxbury into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. She cited DHS’s lack of transparency and disregard for community concerns—including unanimous opposition from the Roxbury Township Council—over the facility’s projected strain on local infrastructure, the environment, and the economy. She also raised concerns about public safety and conditions at the proposed facility, noting the unacceptable and inhumane treatment of detainees at other ICE detention centers.

Governor Sherrill pledged that New Jersey would explore all options to safeguard the community’s interests and safety, and will use every tool at the state’s disposal should DHS fail to comply with applicable laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

The full text of the letter [PDF]