WASHINGTON – Following a Washington post story that ICE is considering establishing a detention center for immigrants in the former Pep Boys warehouse in the Village of Chester, and some 1,000 people coming out to a local meeting to oppose the plan, Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) announced on Tuesday that he has launched opposed to it.
Ryan said local leaders received no warning or information from the administration in Washington about the proposal.
“Our Hudson Valley community strongly rejects the Trump Administration’s plans for mass detention camps across the country, especially in our own backyard,” the congressman said. “It’s shameful, un-American, and the exact opposite of everything our community stands for.”
Chester town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, Orange County Legislature Chairwoman Laurie Tautel and Dutchess County Legislature Chairwoman Yvette Valdes-Smith have already spoken out against the Chester facility.
Orange County Legislator Democratic Caucus Leader Genesis Ramos of Newburgh, a first-generation daughter of immigrants, who represents a largely immigrant community, said,” Immigrant families are living in fear, and that fear is hurting our neighbors and our local economy.
Victor Cueva, executive director of the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, also sounded the alarm against the Chester facility. “Detention centers are places where there have been reported inhuman conditions for immigrants, and many reported deaths. We do not support the continued dehumanization of community members through ICE enforcement actions and detention.”
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