NJ, ICE agree to pause court fight over proposed detention center
According to the filing, ICE said it will conduct additional environmental review, including an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act, before moving forward with construction to retrofit the warehouse for detention use.
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A federal court filing says New Jersey, Roxbury Township and federal officials have agreed to pause a request for a preliminary injunction over a proposed immigration detention facility in Roxbury.
The case challenges plans to convert a vacant industrial warehouse at 1879 Route 46 into an immigration detention facility. The state and township had sought to block conversion work and operations while the lawsuit continues.
According to the filing, ICE said it will conduct additional environmental review, including an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act, before moving forward with construction to retrofit the warehouse for detention use.
Under the agreement, federal officials will not begin activities to convert the site into a detention center until after the review process and a related agency decision document, except for limited security and maintenance work.
Permitted work includes temporary fencing, security cameras, lighting, maintenance and other basic upkeep.
The filing says the work must not disturb the ground or encroach on a conservation easement area without state approval.
The parties are expected to submit a joint status report within seven days after the agency decision document is issued. That report would propose a schedule for future court proceedings, including any amended complaint or renewed request for a preliminary injunction.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, and Roxbury Mayor Shawn Potillo released a joint statement on the agreement:
“Since we filed litigation, we’ve been demanding the federal government back off its rushed construction and operation of an immigration detention center in Roxbury. We’ve been clear from the beginning that DHS’s proposed ICE detention facility in Roxbury will harm the community and won’t do anything to make us safer. If DHS conducts a proper analysis, it will discover that this industrial warehouse is no place for a detention center. If DHS continues to plow ahead after conducting its further analysis, we will return to Court to seek relief immediately.”
DHS responded with the following statement:
“DHS is continuing limited work on the facility such as installing cameras, fences, and conducting building and grounds maintenance.
ICE addressed many environmental concerns prior to purchasing this site and continues to do so as the project evolves. ICE carefully evaluates the use of existing facilities to help minimize environmental impacts, including potential impacts to protected species, sensitive natural resources, and valued cultural resources.
Let’s be honest about what is happening. This isn’t about the environment. It’s about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe. The flood of illegal aliens at the border under President Biden was devastating for ranches and riverbeds, but the left did not lift a finger. They’re feigning concern now because they want to obstruct the President from removing dangerous criminals.”
