New York, NY—Yesterday, ICE announced it purchased a former warehouse in Chester, NY, which it plans to convert into a detention center. This decision comes despite vocal, widespread and bipartisan opposition from local lawmakers at every level of government. The local community has also strongly advocated against this detention center, with over 20,000 community members signing a petition opposing its opening. The facility, 60 miles from New York City, is a former Pep Boys distribution center that could hold up to 1500 people.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Every New Yorker, no matter when they arrived here, deserves to live in safety and dignity. ICE’s decision to move forward despite clear local opposition underscore the urgent need for New York to be a bulwark against the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda. We commend the elected officials representing Chester, Orange County and the Hudson Valley who have fought this project, and implore them to continue fighting it every step of the way. We urgently call on our legislators in Albany to pass New York For All, which would ensure that our local resources are not used to separate families and funnel our neighbors into this or any other detention center.”