Mendham Officials Oppose Neighboring ICE Detention Center Plans

MENDHAM, NJ — Mendham officials have expressed opposition to a proposed ICE detention facility in one of its neighboring towns.

ICE plans to turn a warehouse in Roxbury into a detention center capable of holding up to 1,500 people.

The plans have been met with pushback from both residents of Roxbury and local officials, as well as state senators.

On Monday, the Mendham Township Committee unanimously voted to oppose the proposed facility and sent a letter to the Roxbury council highlighting why.

“Roxbury Township is a neighboring Morris County municipality located just eight miles from Mendham Township, and decisions of this magnitude have implications not only locally, but regionally,” the letter reads. “We respect and support your Council’s responsibility to make land use and planning decisions that are consistent with your ordinances, infrastructure capacity, and long-term community needs.”

Mendham officials cited concerns regarding environmental, utility, and infrastructure issues that could result from the facility. Additionally, the letter said that the facility would create “unanticipated and substantial demands on local resources in structures not designed for that purpose.”

Additionally, the federal agency’s lack of consultation “undermines” Roxbury’s ability to make “informed, locally driven decisions,” according to the letter.

“Accordingly, the Township Committee of the Township of Mendham supports the Township Council of Roxbury in opposing any use that bypasses local review, disregards municipal land use authority, or imposes unforeseen burdens on Roxbury Township’s infrastructure, resources, and services,” it says.

The unanimous vote to oppose the proposed facility came just a day before an ICE-related shooting in Roxbury shook the town.

Read More — Morris County ICE Shooting: What We Know