ROXBURY - Most Republicans support enforcing immigration laws, but as we just saw in this town, that support is not unconditional.

The all-Republican township council on Tuesday "unequivocally" opposed an ICE holding or processing facility in the township.

Here is a key part of the resolution:

"WHEREAS, it is a primary objective of the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury to ensure the public safety and welfare of its residents, business community and visitors to the Township; and

WHEREAS, it is the position of the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury that the Township of Roxbury is not an appropriate municipality for the placement of a detainee processing facility."

The council chamber was packed with people, many of whom opposed the ICE facility. So, this was welcome news.

Curiously, this may turn out to be no issue at all.

It was a Washington Post story last month that said the federal government was looking to build ICE processing facilities around the country that would each hold up to 1,500 people. Roxbury Township was one of the locations listed. The story spoke of converting unused warehouse space.

The result was a protest against the proposed facility at a council meeting last month and on the  ground in early January.

Township officials say they know nothing about the plan and that the feds have told them nothing. That is not surprising.

The office of Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr., whose Seventh District includes Roxbury, has not responded to an emailed question about the ICE facility.

This can be a tough issue - politically - for Republicans. Yes, they back federal immigration enforcement, but that doesn't mean they want an ICE facility, metaphorically speaking, down the block.

Councilmen, in fact, at Tuesday's meeting expressed support for immigration law.

The resolution presents the sentiments of the council, but in truth, it does not go all that far.

The federal government, generally speaking, can supersede local regulations, meaning it can do what it wants in regard to an ICE facility in Roxbury.

This local issue popped up at an emotional time.

We had the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent last week in Minnesota and just a few days ago, an ICE raid on a laundromat in Morristown detained about 10 people. That action was condemned by the town's mayor and on Tuesday night, about 300 people reportedly turned out in Morristown to protest.