WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rob Menendez today released the following statement after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) is again pursuing its previously abandoned plans to convert a warehouse into a detention facility in Roxbury.
“We have been clear from day one: New Jersey does not want the expansion of ICE detention in our communities.
“When ICE’s Roxbury warehouse plan first came to light, we fought back, bringing together thousands of New Jerseyans in opposition.
“We will continue to fight to stop this facility alongside our New Jersey Democratic delegation colleagues, Governor Sherrill, local officials in Roxbury, and every New Jerseyan opposed to the warehousing of human beings in their communities.”
Since coming to Congress, Rob Menendez has been a leader on fighting for immigrant rights and on oversight of detention centers. An initiative created by Congressman Menendez united thousands of New Jerseyans in ultimately successful opposition to the Roxbury warehouse. Congressman Menendez also previously led the New Jersey Democratic delegation in multiple letters demanding that DHS halt ICE’s warehouse detention plan in Roxbury.
Congressman Menendez has repeatedly called for the closure of all immigrant detention centers in New Jersey and has conducted several unannounced visits of Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center. Congressman Menendez has also called for the end of ICE and led efforts to demand that ICE agents identify themselves when conducting enforcement operations. Earlier this year, he was on the ground in Minnesota for a field hearing, listening to the testimony of victims of ICE and DHS’s abuses and state and local elected officials.
