Hundreds of people gathered in chilly conditions on Thursday to voice their strong disapproval of a planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in the village of Chester. The project involves converting an unused warehouse into a facility for detaining immigrants.
Bipartisan Pushback from Local Leaders
Opposition to the proposal spans political lines. Orange County Democratic legislator Genesis Ramos highlighted the widespread resistance, noting that even Republican County Executive Steve Neuhaus has warned that such a center would lead to significant disruption in the community.
Ramos emphasized the deeper implications beyond operational challenges, pointing to the broader human impact. “The inhumane treatment documented in ICE detention centers nationwide has no place in our local area,” she stated. “I would oppose this facility fully, regardless of whether the necessary infrastructure exists.”
Congressman’s Call for Transparency and Accountability
U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, representing New York’s 18th District, addressed the crowd and shared details of his office’s unsuccessful attempts to obtain more specifics on the plan. ICE’s reply cited security concerns and resistance to their deportation initiatives as reasons for withholding information.
Ryan described the agency’s response as unacceptable, linking it to recent incidents of violence by federal agents, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. “We’ve witnessed outright killings and executions on U.S. streets involving citizens,” the Ulster County representative said. He added that these events motivated his support for impeaching Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and his refusal to back any funding for ICE without proper oversight.
Ongoing Efforts to Halt the Project
Local officials, including Ramos, plan to persist in their efforts to block the development. She pointed to the large attendance at the rally as evidence of sustained public sentiment. “The community is recognizing the need to confront this issue head-on,” Ramos said. “This situation calls for action, and many are ready to support their neighbors in the fight.”
Efforts to reach the Department of Homeland Security for comment were unsuccessful.
