I am writing to express serious concerns about the proposed ICE detention facility in Roxbury, New Jersey. Converting a large warehouse into an immigrant processing and detention center poses significant risks to both detainees and the surrounding community.
Local officials have already warned that the proposed site lacks adequate infrastructure, including sufficient water and sewer capacity, making it unsuitable for housing large numbers of people. The facility could strain municipal services such as police, emergency response, and transportation in what is primarily a suburban residential area.
There are also serious humanitarian concerns. Warehouses are not designed for long-term human occupancy, and immigration detention centers nationwide have faced criticism for poor sanitation, ventilation, and medical care. Creating a detention center in an industrial building risks exposing detainees to unsafe and inhumane conditions.
In addition, such a facility could permanently change the character of the community. Residents and local leaders worry that Roxbury will become known primarily as a detention site, potentially harming property values and community identity.
Finally, this project has moved forward with limited local consultation, leaving residents feeling excluded from decisions that will affect their town for decades.
For reasons of public safety, fiscal responsibility, and basic human dignity, the proposed ICE detention center in Roxbury should be reconsidered. Our community deserves solutions that protect residents while respecting the rights and well-being of all people.
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