Controversial Billion-Dollar Migrant Facility Raises Opposition in New Jersey

In a major escalation of border enforcement, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a billion-dollar contract to establish a massive migrant detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, sparking immediate backlash from the state’s Democratic leaders.

Quick Takes

ICE has contracted with GEO Group to create a 1,000-bed facility that will be the largest migrant holding center on the East Coast
The 15-year contract is valued at approximately one billion dollars and represents the first major deportation center established under the Trump administration
New Jersey Democrats, including Rep. Rob Menendez and Gov. Phil Murphy, have voiced strong opposition to the facility
The GEO Group has invested $70 million in capital expenditures to enhance the facility’s capabilities
A previous New Jersey law aimed at preventing private companies from contracting with ICE was overturned by a federal judge in 2023

East Coast’s Largest Migrant Holding Facility

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has finalized a contract to establish a 1,000-bed migrant holding facility at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. The facility, adjacent to the Essex County jail, will become the largest of its kind on the East Coast and represents a significant expansion of detention capabilities in the region. Located near an international airport, the center is strategically positioned to streamline logistics for processing individuals in custody, enabling more efficient movement of detainees throughout the immigration enforcement system.

The contract designates the location as the first major deportation center built during the current Trump administration, signaling a reinforcement of stricter immigration enforcement policies. Delaney Hall was previously used as a detention facility until 2017, when it ceased operations as part of New Jersey’s broader move away from immigration detention partnerships. The decision to revive and expand the facility marks a significant reversal of this trend and has immediately generated controversy among state officials and immigration advocates.

Billion-Dollar Partnership with GEO Group

The GEO Group, which has become ICE’s largest contractor, secured a 15-year agreement valued at approximately one billion dollars to operate the Newark facility. Under the terms of the contract, GEO will provide a comprehensive range of services to detainees, including security, facility maintenance, food services, recreational amenities, medical care, and legal counsel. The company has already invested $70 million in capital expenditures to enhance its capabilities at the location and prepare it for expanded operations.

In securing this contract, GEO Group has positioned itself as a critical partner in supporting federal immigration enforcement priorities. The company’s expanding role in the detention system has drawn attention from both supporters who view it as necessary infrastructure for immigration enforcement and critics who question the privatization of detention services. The substantial financial commitment reflects the administration’s determination to build long-term capacity for handling immigration cases, even as debates about detention policies continue across the country.

State Opposition and Legal Challenges

New Jersey Democrats have responded with immediate and vocal opposition to the contract. Representative Rob Menendez and Governor Phil Murphy expressed both surprise and dismay at the swift execution of the agreement, which they claim occurred without proper advance notice to state officials. This lack of coordination has heightened tensions between federal authorities and state leadership, particularly in a state where officials have previously taken strong stands against immigration detention facilities.

The conflict extends beyond political disagreement into legal territory. New Jersey had previously attempted to bar private companies from contracting with ICE for detention services, passing legislation aimed at phasing out such arrangements. However, this effort was overturned by a federal judge in 2023, though the state has appealed the decision. The establishment of the Newark facility occurs against this backdrop of ongoing litigation, creating uncertainty about the long-term status of the detention center and raising questions about the balance of federal and state authority in immigration matters.