Morris County Democrats Condemn ICE Warehouse Purchase and Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s Inaction

ROXBURY, NJ — The Morris County Democratic Committee strongly condemns U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for finalizing the purchase of a warehouse in Roxbury Township for an immigration processing facility, as well as CD-7 Rep. Tom Kean Jr. for failing to act on behalf of local residents resisting this deal.

Despite weeks of public protest and a unanimous township resolution opposing the facility, ICE closed the deal with Dalfen Industrial, contradicting claims earlier this week that no purchase had been made. 

Roxbury Township and other elected officials, including LD25 State Senator Tony Bucco and LD24 Assemblyman Mike Inganamort, have highlighted serious concerns about the planned facility, including the site’s location in a residential area, limited water and sewer capacity, strain on emergency services, and the projected $1.8 million annual loss in tax revenue affecting Roxbury, its school district, and Morris County.

But beyond these easily made operational objections, the Morris County Democratic Committee argues that the core issue here is moral. ICE isn’t moving boxes into this warehouse—it’s moving people: families, children, human beings. These facilities are designed to be overcrowded, unsanitary, and emotionally brutal. Our objection should not be limited to infrastructure; it should be about whether we are willing to accept cruelty as policy.

"This is our town, our neighbors, and our responsibility," said Darcy Draeger, Chair of the Morris County Democratic Committee. "Roxbury residents have made it clear: they do not want an immigration detention facility in the township. We will stand with local leaders to protect our schools, public services, and the dignity of every person affected. And make no mistake—when our community fights, our elected representatives are either with us or against us. Congressman Tom Kean Jr.’s silence sends a clear message: he does not care. Our message to him is that representation without action is meaningless, and we will hold him accountable in November."

The Morris County Democratic Committee stands in full support of Roxbury officials’ plans to pursue all legal avenues to block this project and calls on all NJ elected officials to listen to local voices, prioritize human dignity, and reject policies that inflict harm for harm's sake.