Politics & Government
Environmental Group Jumps On Suit Against ICE Jail In Morris Co.
A local environmental group wants to join Roxbury and New Jersey in opposing the proposed detention facility.
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A local environmental group has taken a stance regarding the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility that is planned for Roxbury.
The Highlands Coalition, a nonpartisan coalition of environmental organizations, has filed a motion and a proposed amicus brief supporting New Jersey's and Roxbury Township's request for a preliminary injunction.
In other words, the coalition has filed a legal document to provide the U.S. District Court with additional information, expertise, and arguments relevant to the halting of construction of the facility.
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The litigation comes after the Department of Homeland Security purchased a Roxbury warehouse with the intention of converting it into a detention center capable of holding up to 1,500 immigrants at a time.
The move has been met with strong resistance from both Roxbury officials and the state, with a lawsuit filed against the DHS last month. In addition to the initial lawsuit, the state has filed a preliminary injunction on the plans, meaning that the DHS cannot begin construction on the center until the case is completed.
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The warehouse lies on The Highlands, a 1,300-square-mile, “environmentally vital” region stretching from Philipsburg on the Delaware River to West Milford and Mahwah on the New York border.
According to the coalition, the area provides clean drinking water to over 6.2 million residents, or two-thirds of the state, while offering significant scenic, historic, and recreational areas.
One of the plaintiffs’ main arguments against the facility is the effect it would have on local resources and therefore, local costs.
“DHS and ICE's misguided decision to target the Roxbury Township property for their detention center makes absolutely no sense as this property is largely protected from further development through a conservation easement," said Alison Mitchell, executive director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation. "From an environmental protection standpoint, their plans run afoul of federal requirements and counter to New Jersey's efforts to protect critical wildlife habitat and the Highlands region.”
Both the state and Roxbury project that the site will account for a $1.8 million annual loss in tax revenue—impacting the Township, school district, and county—representing an estimated $85 million loss over the next 30 years.
However, ICE told Patch recently that it had "carefully evaluated the use of existing facilities to help minimize environmental impacts, including potential impacts to protected species, sensitive natural resources, and valued cultural resources," before the purchase.
Federal officials also told Patch previously that the Roxbury detention center will bring 1,300 jobs to the area, contribute $161.2 million to GDP, and bring in more than $39.2 million in tax revenue.
Several protests from hundreds of residents have been seen picketing against the facility in recent weeks. The protests came as the third No Kings Rally, protesting President Donald Trump and his policies, hit a record high attendance across the country.
“I’ve lived in Roxbury Township for nearly 30 years and have been actively involved the entire time. My family went through the public school system, played on teams at the parks, and volunteered with local groups to serve our community," said Ann Mauro, a member of the Concerned Residents. "Our neighborhoods, parks, clubs, businesses, and schools all reflect the people who live here, and all would be negatively impacted by an ICE warehouse.”
The Lawsuit
On March 20, Sherrill, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, and the town of Roxbury announced that they would be suing ICE over their plans to build the facility.
The suit highlights violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (ICA), and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
It says the facility lacks adequate water or sewage access, would produce harmful wastewater that could damage Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong, and could create dangerous traffic in an already high-traffic area, to name a few concerns.
Read More: NJ Takes Trump To Court Over New ICE Prison
ICE officials, however, say opposers are "feigning concern" over the facility.
"Let’s be honest about this. This case isn’t about the environment. It’s about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again," an ICE representative wrote in an email to Patch. "The left didn’t care about the mountains of litter that illegal aliens dropped on ranches and riverbeds during Biden’s border crisis. They’re feigning concern now because they want those same illegal aliens to stay forever and vote here."
Previous reporting:
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