Advocates move to discourage construction of new ICE detention centers in NJ
After days of protests at one of New Jersey’s only ICE detention centers, some residents are raising concerns about the possibility of similar facilities in their own communities.
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Amidst ongoing calls to shut down Delaney Hall, organizers and lawmakers across New Jersey are pushing to block any future immigration detention centers from opening in the state
After days of protests at one of New Jersey’s only ICE detention centers, some residents are raising concerns about the possibility of similar facilities in their own communities.
"I was at Delaney Hall for two days over the weekend, and it's really just dangerous," said Roxbury resident Susannah Ollivierre. "I don't think that the people of Roxbury would feel safe with armed ICE agents patrolling the streets of Roxbury in their armored vehicles."
Earlier this year, the federal government planned to build another large-scale ICE detention center in Roxbury.
The township and the state filed a lawsuit challenging the project, and a judge ordered construction to be paused pending an environmental review.
However, the project has not been permanently canceled.
In response, some state lawmakers are now exploring additional ways to discourage private companies from operating detention centers in New Jersey.
One proposal gaining traction in the state legislature would impose a significant tax on private companies contracted to run the facilities.
"We have to use the power that we have to take that profit motive away," said District 32 Democratic Assemblywoman Katie Brennan. "The hunger strike and labor strike that's happening at Delaney Hall...it is garnering attention, and so I hope that all of our colleagues around the state see that this is something that we do have power to help address."
Assemblywoman Brennan's bill would tax those companies at a rate of 50 percent for the total value of their contracts with the federal government. She told News 12 the revenue collected would go toward providing legal representation for immigrants facing detention.
