Trump admin moves to expand immigration detention in heart of blue state
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is taking steps to detain illegal immigrants as the Trump administration aims to expand its arrest and deportation operations across the United States. ICE recently announced the reopening of the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, N.J., in a move to establish a processing and detention center with a capacity of up to 1,000 beds.
“This detention center is the first to open under the new administration,” said acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello in a statement. The facility’s proximity to an international airport will streamline logistics and expedite the processing of individuals in custody as part of President Trump’s directive to arrest, detain, and remove illegal aliens from communities.
The reopening of the Delaney Hall facility is part of ICE’s efforts to bolster its presence in the Northeast and enhance its enforcement and removal operations in the region. The agency’s interior arrests have surged compared to the Biden-era numbers, with a 137% increase in arrests reported from January 20 to February 8, according to Department of Homeland Security data.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that over 20,000 illegal immigrants were arrested in a single month under the new administration. The Trump administration has lifted restrictions on ICE agents, ended Temporary Protected Status for certain nationalities, and expanded the use of expedited removal. Additionally, agreements with other nations have been made to facilitate the repatriation of illegal immigrants or bolster border security efforts.
ICE currently has close to 42,000 available beds, but capacity has been exceeded under the current administration. Efforts are underway to secure more detention space, with sources indicating that it typically takes around 30 days for contractors to deliver due to various logistical requirements.
The Trump administration’s push for increased detention space aligns with its goal of enforcing stricter immigration policies and cracking down on illegal immigration. As ICE ramps up its operations, it continues to face challenges in meeting the demand for detention facilities and resources.
Adam Shaw, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering immigration and border security, can be contacted at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter. The administration’s focus on immigration enforcement underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and enforcement measures in the United States.
