Officials react to Roxbury ICE facility update
On July 8, DHS officials informed counsel that upon reconsideration, the agency intends to move forward with plans to consider the retrofitting of the Roxbury Township warehouse facility for use as a detention facility.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reversed course and said it is once again considering converting a Roxbury warehouse into an ICE detention facility, just two weeks after telling a federal court it planned to sell the property. The proposed detention center has faced months of legal challenges and opposition from state and local officials.
On July 8, DHS officials informed counsel that upon reconsideration, the agency intends to move forward with plans to consider the retrofitting of the Roxbury Township warehouse facility for use as a detention facility.
An Office of the Attorney General spokesperson said Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport’s bipartisan lawsuit means the facility “is not moving forward now absent an environmental assessment,” adding the state “will continue whatever efforts we need to in court.”
Roxbury Mayor Shawn Potillo said the township remains encouraged that DHS has also indicated it anticipates selling the property, but noted the federal government still owns the site, costing the township about $1.8 million in annual tax revenue. He said Roxbury will continue monitoring the situation until the property returns to private ownership and the tax rolls, adding the township’s priority is protecting the best interests of its residents.
News 12 reached out to ICE and was directed to a statement from Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
