Reps. Watson Coleman, Menendez, McIver Lead Bicameral Charge Against Expansion of Private ICE Detention in New Jersey
Today, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Rob Menendez (NJ-08) continued their efforts to protect immigrant communities and prevent the expansion of private immigration detention centers in New Jersey.
Together with Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim and Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Frank Pallone Jr.(NJ-06), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), the Representatives led a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) Caleb Vitello demanding answers related to reported plans for the expansion of private immigration detention in New Jersey. The inquiries include questions related to the possible expansion of the Elizabeth Detention Center (“EDC”) and efforts to secure a contract with ICE for a 600-bed facility in the Newark Area.
"Instead of working with Democrats to build a fair and safe immigration process, the Trump administration has instead leaned into chaos, confusion, and cruelty," said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). "They've created a climate of fear and use that fear to mask their efforts to take away core rights. The use of private prisons erodes the public’s faith in the integrity of American sentencing policy, leaving them to wonder if the impetus for lengthy mandatory minimums, or forcibly detaining immigrants, is an evidence-based solution, or just submission to the will of private companies profiting from those incidences of imprisonment. The potential expansion of the Elizabeth Detention Center and the potential opening of detention centers in Trenton and Newark further erode the trust the people have in a fair justice system. We need to join together across racial differences to demand a fair and safe immigration process for all families."
“We have consistently spoken up for immigrants and the vital role they play in our communities. That advocacy will continue in light of the renewed attacks on them,” said Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08). “We have long said that private detention centers like the one in Elizabeth run counter to the values of our district, and we will remain steadfast in our work to prevent their expansion. And while we remain ready to engage on any opportunity to implement common sense solutions to our broken immigration system, we will continue to conduct rigorous oversight over the aspects of this system that are harming immigrant families.”
“The potential openings of privately owned detention facilities in Newark and Trenton are deeply disturbing,” said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10). “New Jersey is the proud home to more than two million immigrants across the state, and we are demanding answers about ICE actions in our community. We will not sit idly by as Trump’s policies harass and harm our neighbors, and we will not stop holding ICE and this administration to account.”
The letter comes amidst a flurry of immigration enforcement activity by the Trump administration, empowering ICE officials to conduct raids across the United States, including a recent raid in Newark that resulted in the questioning of U.S. citizens and a military veteran. Earlier this month, Reps. Menendez, McIver, and Watson Coleman made an unannounced visit to the EDC, conducting oversight and assessing the conditions within the facility.
Since coming to Congress, Representative Menendez has been a strong opponent of the expansion of private immigration detention in New Jersey. In the first weeks of President Trump’s term, Menendez, McIver, and Watson Coleman have taken swift action in response to the administration’s harmful policies that directly and adversely impact our communities. Following the January ICE raid in Newark, they along with other members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers as to the circumstances of the raid. Representing a district that is more than 40% foreign-born, Menendez has been a leading voice in Congress on protecting immigrant communities. He serves as the Vice Chair of Policy for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 119th Congress.
For Full Text of the Letter, Click Here.