Over 1,000 protest ICE detention center
Roxbury rally targets purchase of 474,000-square-foot building
By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... More than 1,000 people lined route 46 in Roxbury on Saturday February 28, [2026] protesting the Immigration and Customs enforcement agency's plans to house up to 1,500 immigrant detainees in a warehouse the agency bought in February. [2026]
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Holding signs and chanting "ICE out now!" the protest drew many local residents who said they hoped township officials will be able to block ICE's plans because the warehouse is not designed to house people.
..... The February 28 [2026] protest attracted people from across the state, including Julie Bernstein from Maplewood, who said the large gathering shows how deep-seated the opposition is in New Jersey to President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans.
..... "It's totally unjust and not what our country stands for," she said. "I'm glad there's so many people out here today. [02/28/2026] Maybe this sends a message to the administration that we don't want more detention facilities."
..... This was the fourth and largest protest against the facility since an article in the Washington Post mentioned that Roxbury was being considered a site for ICE. Protesters lined the slushy sidewalk in front of the municipal building, many of them holding signs, some of which read: Stay Salty, Melt ICE," NO concentration Camps in Roxbury" and Warehousing Human Beings is Inhuman."
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"A lot of people thought that this wasn't going to happen, or if it did, it was going to happen in the summer," [2026] said William Angus, a really organizer. "But then news got out of the sale, and this became real to everyone."
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The rally was held a week after local officials confirmed that ICE had purchases a 474,000-square-foot warehouse at 1879 Route 46. Roxbury officials have said they will challenge the purchase in court.
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Rumors that ICE was looking for a facility in Morris County began in December [2025] with the Washington Post article. It set off a series of protests in January and February. [2026]
..... "We had 75 at the first 150 at the second and 500 at the third," Angus said. "Now we're well above 1,000 people, so it's really on people's minds."
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While Democrats, including Governor Mikie Sherrill and Senator Cory booker, have criticized the move, the all-Republican Township council in Roxbury has also condemned the project, saying it had received no feedback from DHS on its plans.
..... Council members have argued that it would strain local infrastructure such as water and sewer lines and place an undue burden on fire, police and EMS personnel. The council said it tried to offer $20 million in tax abatements over 10 years to the warehouse's previous owner, Dalfen International, in an attempt to avoid the sale.
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Among those at the protest Saturday [02/28/2026] were Assembly members Ravi Bhalla and Katie Brennan, who sponsored package of bills that would tax private detention facilities, block ICE from crime senses and ban ICE agents form public employment elsewhere.