"Local and federal officials now say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has in fact purchased a property in Roxbury, New Jersey to use for detention - after days of confusing and outright contradictory statements by the Department of Homeland Security. Roxbury Township's all-Republican governing body said in a statement Friday it "will not passively accept this outcome" and would pursue legal remedies, citing issues including environmental constraints and infrastructure limitations."
"The Washington Post first reported the possibility ICE could purchase a warehouse property in Roxbury last year, setting off opposition from local community groups and leading the Roxbury Township Council to pass a resolution last month opposing any such plan. "Neither we nor the town will cease our efforts to prevent an ICE Detention Facility from opening in the town," David Broderick, an attorney and member of one of the community groups, No Ice Jails in Northern NJ, said in a statement provided to Gothamist."
"Roxbury Mayor Shawn Potillo and the township council called the purchase "frankly stunning" in a joint statement on Friday, and said they received no coordination from federal officials. "All of our communications to DHS on issues related to this selection as a detention center were never answered," they said. "This community is the most impacted by this facility, yet we received absolutely no feedback from DHS.""
"The announcement, verified by DHS in an email to Gothamist, caps of a week of contradictions. Tuesday, DHS told Gothamist in an emailed statement that it had purchased the property - elaborating on how the sites it selects are carefully studied, and that the Roxbury facility would bring 1,300 jobs to the area, contribute $161.2 million to the GDP and bring in more than $39.2 million in tax revenue."
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement purchased a property in Roxbury, New Jersey to use for detention after days of confusing and contradictory statements by the Department of Homeland Security. Roxbury Township's all-Republican governing body said it will not passively accept the outcome and will pursue legal remedies citing environmental constraints and infrastructure limitations. Local community groups and the township council previously opposed the plan and passed a resolution against such a facility. Community organizers vowed to continue efforts to prevent an ICE detention facility. DHS verified the purchase and projected 1,300 jobs, $161.2 million GDP contribution, and over $39.2 million in tax revenue.
Read at Gothamist
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