CHESTER – The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to hold thousands of immigrants in warehouses, including potentially a site in Chester, according to a report.
Per The Washington Post, ICE plans to accelerate deportations by creating what it calls a “deliberate feeder system.” Under the proposal, detainees would be held in 23 renovated industrial warehouses capable of housing up to 80,000 immigrants at a time, rather than being transferred to existing detention facilities nationwide.
Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge said the proposed ICE facility would likely be at the now-closed Pep Boys Warehouse, a 401,000 square-foot facility located at the Chester Industrial Park in the Village of Chester. Chester Mayor Tom Bell could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday night.
However, Holdridge and Town of Chester Councilman Bob Courtenay both said they oppose the ICE proposal.
“I am against an ICE presence in Chester,” Holdridge said. “The well documented abuses and illegal actions being carried out by this President’s Department of Homeland Security have no place in our town. Not to mention the traffic, infrastructure, and safety concerns we do not want imposed on us. I will work with the Village of Chester and any other government entity/official to keep any potential ICE facility out of Chester.”
Holdridge said that he has contacted county, state, and federal officials about the ICE facility, but they have not been provided any specifics by the feds. A representative for Congressman Pat Ryan’s office did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Tuesday night.
The plans are preliminary and subject to change, the Post reported. ICE is expected to share the draft solicitation with private detention firms before revising it or issuing formal bids. Details about the Chester site were not disclosed, though ICE said potential renovations could include intake areas, housing units, medical space, dining facilities, recreation areas and administrative offices.
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