Governor Mikie Sherrill and Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced on Mar. 20 that New Jersey and the Township of Roxbury have filed a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop plans for converting a vacant warehouse into an immigration detention center.
The legal action seeks to address concerns about public safety, environmental impact, infrastructure strain, and lack of consultation with state and local officials. The lawsuit requests that the U.S. District Court halt the federal government’s decision to create what is described as a mass detention facility in Roxbury.
Sherrill said, “The safety and well-being of New Jerseyans will always be my top priority, and the Trump Administration’s plans for a detention facility in Roxbury will not make our residents safer. Instead, this facility will overburden local services and infrastructure. These types of facilities also have a long track record of abuse, mistreatment, and unsafe conditions. This is not a partisan issue – Republican leaders in the community are similarly against this facility. That is why we are joining with Roxbury to stop this facility to protect the community and our Constitution.”
Davenport said, “Today, we join efforts to enforce the law and protect the rights of all New Jerseyans. Federal laws require—and our State and towns deserve—that DHS and ICE consult with the State and the Township on major projects in their backyard. Instead, DHS and ICE are ramming through a secretive purchase and rushed renovation. We will not allow these ill-considered plans to happen. We have partnered with the Township of Roxbury, relying on the Township’s crucial local knowledge and efficiently combining our resources for this important bipartisan fight.”
Mayor Shawn Potillo added support from local leadership: “The Council and I commend the Governor and the Attorney General for their swift and decisive action to help prevent the placement of an ICE detention center within our suburban community. We remain confident that, through this process, it will be clearly demonstrated that this location is not appropriate for a facility of this nature, given the significant impacts it would have on our residents, local resources, and the surrounding environment. This partnership is also important for Roxbury residents, as the Office of Attorney General can provide significant legal resources that protects Roxbury’s local property taxpayers from shouldering most of this cost alone.”
According to court filings cited in today’s announcement, state officials say they first learned about DHS’s plans through media reports rather than direct communication from federal agencies. The site at 1879 Route 46 consists mainly of one large room with concrete floors but only four toilets; it lacks sufficient water or sewage capacity for up to 1,500 detainees plus 1,000 staff members expected after conversion.
Officials argue that converting this warehouse would increase wastewater output by more than fifteen times its current limit—posing risks such as sewer system damage or overflow into nearby lakes including Lake Musconetcong (1,000 feet away) or Lake Hopatcong (the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey). The Highlands region supplies drinking water for about 70% of state residents; increased water use could reduce pressure needed for firefighting or deplete groundwater reserves.
Traffic safety concerns were also raised due to proximity to Highway 46 near Interstate 80—a stretch already known for multiple fatalities—with projections suggesting hundreds more vehicles during rush hour if staffing estimates hold true.
Economic impacts include potential loss of $1.8 million annually in tax revenue due to strains on public utilities, displacement of other development opportunities, traffic congestion, emergency response diversion,
and other factors.
According to the official website, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property while upholding legal standards statewide; his office extends authority across all counties,
influences public safety through enforcement oversight,
holds statutory power over law enforcement matters,
offers services like crime lab support,
victim advocacy,
and consumer protection initiatives;
and functions as an agency focused on justice throughout New Jersey.
