The Trump administration has informed Democratic lawmakers that it currently has no timeline for establishing a detention center for undocumented immigrants at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. The news follows earlier statements indicating that the military installation would serve as one of the key sites in the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, which aims to detain and deport undocumented individuals.
On Wednesday, Congress members Donald Norcross and Herb Conaway announced that they received a letter from the administration clarifying the absence of an approved construction plan for the proposed detention facility. The base, which spans parts of Burlington and Ocean Counties, has been estimated to potentially house between 1,000 to 3,000 detainees.
The letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to inquiries made by the lawmakers concerning the timeline and specifics of the administration’s plans. In a joint statement, Norcross and Conaway expressed their concerns regarding the treatment of undocumented immigrants, stating, “The Trump Administration’s ongoing disregard for due process and humane treatment of undocumented immigrants has required us to press repeatedly for answers and fulfill our congressional oversight responsibilities.” They emphasized that they will continue to monitor any developments related to the proposed facility.
This detention center is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to address what officials describe as a need for additional detention space. Administration representatives have argued that this reflects a commitment to “restoring the rule of law” and ending previous policies that allowed for the release of undocumented immigrants back into communities.
Previously, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst was identified as one of two locations in the United States certified to assist in President Trump’s plan to remove millions of immigrants. The other designated site is Camp Atterbury in Indiana. As of now, the timeline for the construction or operationalization of this detention center remains uncertain, leaving many questions unanswered regarding how and when the facility might be utilized.
The lawmakers have underscored the importance of ensuring that any plans for detaining immigrants do not undermine military readiness or violate human rights standards. Their commitment to oversight reflects ongoing concerns about the treatment of individuals within the immigration system, particularly as the administration continues to push forward with its enforcement agenda.
As this situation develops, both public attention and political scrutiny are likely to remain focused on the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and the implications of housing detainees at military facilities.