US Towns Rally Against Trump Administration’s Warehouse-to-ICE Jail Plans
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Residents in Roxbury, New Jersey, have taken to the streets to protest plans to convert a massive warehouse into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center. The move comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified deportation campaign, which has increased the demand for holding facilities across the country.
The proposed site, covering nearly 500,000 square feet and featuring multiple loading docks, was originally designed for storing goods rather than housing people. Local community leaders argue the building is unsuitable for human occupancy and raises serious safety concerns.
Around 500 protestors gathered along Roxbury streets, holding banners reading “Not a jail town” and “ICE out of our neighborhood.” Many residents cited recent federal actions and fatalities during enforcement operations as reasons for their opposition.
Town council members, all elected Republicans, passed a largely symbolic resolution opposing the facility. Supporters of the protest say the measure shows local authorities are aligned with community concerns despite limited legal power to prevent ICE acquisitions.
While most of the town rallied against the plan, some residents expressed support. A few argued that the facility could help regulate undocumented immigration and improve local infrastructure, highlighting divisions within the community.
Experts and advocacy groups have criticized the Trump administration’s approach, warning that converting warehouses into detention centers risks overcrowding, poor health conditions, and human rights violations. The American Immigration Council reported that ICE facilities nearly doubled since January 2025, with dozens of detainee deaths recorded.
ICE officials have stated they will retrofit warehouses to meet basic human standards. However, opponents argue that no amount of renovation can fully address the risks of treating people like commodities in spaces designed for storage.
The protests in Roxbury reflect broader national resistance. Across multiple states, towns have expressed opposition to ICE expansion, signaling that public pushback may increasingly shape the administration’s detention strategies.
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