The Trump administration is set to utilize military bases in New Jersey for the housing of immigrant detainees, which has sparked outrage among state lawmakers from the Democratic party.
A segment of Burlington County’s joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is designated as a “temporary softside holding facility.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses assured that the accommodation of undocumented immigrants would not adversely affect military training or operational readiness, as noted in a letter directed to Democratic leader Herb Conway.
The decision has been met with strong criticism from New Jersey national lawmakers, who released a joint statement condemning the misuse of military resources for such purposes.
“This is an inappropriate use of our defense system, militarizing radical immigration policies that have led to the inhumane treatment of undocumented immigrants and the wrongful deportation of U.S. citizens, including children,” the statement criticized.
There’s a concern that utilizing military facilities for the detention of undocumented immigrants might compromise military readiness and contribute to ICE raids across New Jersey communities.
“Using our military in this way is not only unacceptable but also shameful,” the statement concluded.
Signatories of the statement include Conway, Lamonica McQuiver, Donald Norlos, Rob Menendez, Frank Paron, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Josh Gottimer, Nelly Pooh, and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
In addition to the New Jersey plans, Secretary Hegses also indicated that part of Indiana’s Camp Attterbury would be transformed into immigration facilities.
Details regarding when these two sites will become operational remain unclear, as reported by the Department of Defense.
This development follows tensions surrounding immigrant housing in New Jersey, which intensified following a noisy protest at Delaney Hall in Newark earlier this year, leading to federal accusations against Rep. Ramonica McQuiver.
The official has pleaded not guilty to a federal charge of obstructing law enforcement.
Joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst covers 42,000 acres and supports 45,000 troops and civilian personnel. It uniquely accommodates operations from the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy.
This base previously provided shelter for thousands of Afghan refugees after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
