ICE detention plan revived for Roxbury warehouse after DHS reversal
Federal officials reversed a June decision to drop plans for an ICE facility in Morris County, reigniting legal battles with New Jersey state leaders.
A controversial proposal to convert a Morris County warehouse into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center has been revived by federal authorities. The Department of Homeland Security filed a notice on July 10 stating it intends to move forward with plans to retrofit the facility in Roxbury Township. This announcement comes just days after officials previously indicated they were abandoning the project.
The warehouse, located along Route 46, was originally purchased by ICE for use as an immigration processing and detention site. If the current plan moves ahead, the proposed facility would be capable of holding up to 1,500 detainees. The sudden change in direction has created confusion among local residents who believed the issue had been resolved.
Timeline of conflicting federal filings
The sequence of events began on June 29 when DHS filed a joint status report with the court regarding an ongoing lawsuit brought by New Jersey officials. In that filing, the department stated it no longer intended to convert the warehouse into a detention facility. This initial announcement led state leaders to declare the matter settled.
However, federal counsel informed legal representatives on July 8 that DHS had reconsidered its position upon further review. The agency formally notified the court of this change in plans through a notice filed on July 10. Officials stated that deliberations regarding the retrofitting project remain ongoing as of that date.
Legal teams for both plaintiffs and defendants are scheduled to confer following the new filing. They plan to submit a joint status report to the federal court by July 17 to address these developments. The notice did not disclose any specific reason why DHS decided to reverse its earlier decision to drop the project.
State officials maintain legal victory
Governor Mikie Sherrill, who had previously called the June ruling a major victory for New Jersey and Roxbury Township, rejected the latest federal filing. Her office stated that the facility is not moving forward because of the bipartisan lawsuit filed by her administration and the state Attorney General. Spokesman Steve Sigmund emphasized that contradictory filings from the Trump Administration will not change this outcome.
Sherrill had described the original plan to establish a detention center at the site as unlawful in statements made on June 29. She argued that converting a warehouse designed for packages into a facility for thousands of people would be inhumane and cause devastating local impacts. The Governor also noted that such a project would not make New Jersey any safer.
The office of Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued a statement supporting the Governor's position regarding the DHS reversal. State officials maintain their legal stance despite the new notice from federal authorities. They continue to assert that the lawsuit effectively blocks the construction and operation of the detention center.
Federal commitment remains firm
Despite the state's claims, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has stated that his department will not abandon the Roxbury site. In response to Sherrill's earlier victory declaration, Mullin posted a message saying DHS would never back down from its plans for the location. He confirmed that the agency intends to keep the site available for use as a detention center.
The Trump administration appears determined to pursue the project despite legal challenges and previous indications of withdrawal. The July 10 notice signals that federal deliberations on the retrofitting are active rather than concluded. No explanation was provided in court documents regarding what new factors prompted this shift in strategy.
Local impact and future steps
Residents of Roxbury Township now face renewed uncertainty about whether a large-scale detention facility will operate near their homes. The potential for 1,500 detainees to be housed at the Route 46 location raises concerns about traffic, safety, and environmental impacts in the area. Local leaders are closely monitoring the court proceedings as they await further developments.
The next critical date is July 17 when attorneys from both sides will file a joint status report with the federal judge. This document may provide more clarity on whether the project proceeds or if legal barriers remain effective. Until then, the situation remains in flux between state opposition and federal determination.
Questions residents are asking
Why did DHS change its mind about dropping the Roxbury plan?
The court notice filed on July 10 stated that DHS officials reconsidered their decision but did not disclose a specific reason for the reversal. Federal deliberations regarding the retrofitting of the warehouse remain ongoing as of mid-July.
How many people could be held at this facility?
If the project moves forward, the proposed detention center would have a capacity to hold up to 1,500 detainees. This number was cited in reports regarding the potential scale of the operation.
What is Governor Sherrill's position on this reversal?
Governor Sherrill maintains that her bipartisan lawsuit blocks the project regardless of contradictory filings from federal officials. Her office stated clearly that the facility is not moving forward due to these legal actions.