Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship opposes the proposed ICE Detention Center in Morris County

Morristown, New Jersey, April 14, 2026 – The Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship commends the State of New Jersey and the Township of Roxbury for suing to stop plans for an immigrant detention center in Roxbury.

Nearly one month ago, the State of New Jersey and the Township of Roxbury announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to halt their illegal plan to convert a vacant warehouse into a large-scale immigration detention facility.

Unitarian Universalists value justice and equity. We seek to transform our faith communities into diverse, multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive. We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. The Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship deplores the Trump administration's plans to make New Jersey complicit in terrorizing immigrants, their families, and their communities. Our minister, the Rev. Sasha Ostrom, stated, “Immigrant families in our congregation and wider community have shared the fear they've been living with since this facility was proposed. No one should worry about going to school or church. No one should fear being separated from their family or detained indefinitely in unsafe conditions. This facility has not yet opened, but it already casts a terrifying shadow. Immigrant families deserve better.”

As Governor Sherrill rightly observed, “These types of facilities … have a long track record of abuse, mistreatment, and unsafe conditions.” A Roxbury resident said the proposal would bring “the lack of morality and fear factor into our town.”

The lawsuit by New Jersey and Roxbury Township against ICE and DHS cites process violations and practical concerns that make the proposed facility in Roxbury untenable. Neither ICE nor DHS informed New Jersey or Roxbury officials of their plans before purchasing the property. Housing up to 1500 detainees, as planned by ICE and DHS, would devastate the area environmentally and economically. Sewage outflow would exceed the current approved limit by a factor of 15. Water consumption would stress the water system of the Highlands region, which provides drinking water for 70% of the state. Vehicle traffic would increase at the already dangerous interchange between Highway 46 and Interstate 80. In addition, federal occupation of the warehouse would deprive Roxbury Township of an estimated $1.8M in annual tax revenue, block economic development, and place burdens on public services.

On April 8, New Jersey state and local officials filed a request for a preliminary injunction, asking a federal judge to block ICE from beginning construction on the proposed detention center. Without an injunction, construction could begin as soon as late May.