Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle del Hudson
Thumbnail photo courtesy of the Rural and Migrant Ministry
Chester and the Hudson Valley Against an ICE Detention Center
Por Mariel Fiori
February 2026In the heart of the Hudson Valley, a town of 4,000 residents has drawn the attention of regional leaders, activists, and immigrants. In late 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an official public notice that disrupted the calm of Chester, in Orange County: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is proposing to purchase, occupy, and renovate a former Pep Boys industrial warehouse at 29th Elizabeth Drive as part of a national network of immigration detention and processing centers. The facility would be one of at least 16 planned locations nationwide under a proposal to detain up to 80,000 migrants. As early as April 2025, ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, had stated that his goal for the new ICE facilities was for them to function “like Amazon Prime, except with human beings”.
Closed since 2024, the dormer warehouse is owned by IEP Chester LLC, a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprised, the conglomerate founded by the multimillionaire Carl Icahn, a former advisor to former President Donald Trump. The DHS notice includes a warning that the site is partially located within a 100-year floodplain, a detail that further heightened local concerns regarding safety, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness.
The community reacted strongly in response to the news. On January 12, 2026, about 500 people arrived at the Chester Village Senior Center for their regular public meeting, which had to be moved due to the expected number of attendees. Residents of the town and nearby communities denounced what they consider a direct threat to human dignity, community safety, and daily life.
Weeks later, on January 29, in frigid temperatures, an estimated 700 people protested at Chester Commons Park. There, representatives from organizations such as the Rural Migrant Ministry (RMM) and For the Many denounced the “dehumanization” of detention policies and the impact such a center would have on the region.
Representatives from both parties have already stated their rejection of the ICE proposal, including Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, County Legislature Chair Laurie Tautel, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, and even Orange County Executive, Republican Steve Neuhaus. Neuhaus called the proposal “catastrophic” for the community and criticized the lack of communication from the DHS. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James also criticized the proposal.
“The administration’s policies have militarized immigration enforcement and given ICE a budget larger than most armies. The result is an agency that operates inhumanely and without accountability,” said Congressman Pat Ryan (D NY18), who launched a public petition demanding that the plan be withdrawn. The petition surpassed 10,000 signatures in the first week and reached over 20,000 two weeks later. Ryan believes the community “will win this fight” if they remain united and vocal.
The scope for local action is limited. In the United States, federal properties are not subject to municipal zoning laws, a situation that has already allowed the opening of detention centers in communities that openly rejected them. Similar cases have occurred in Texas and New Jersey, where ICE proceeded despite continuous protests from residents and local authorities.
In addition to humanitarian and political concerns, there are serious environmental warnings. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) warned that the proposed site is located in a 100-year floodplain and could affect wetlands, endangered species, and the water supply. The DEC also questioned how wastewater and stormwater drainage would be handled, noting that the town of Chester does not have sufficient sewer capacity.
“Families are already living in fear,” said Roni Balderas, a Middletown resident, before the Chester town board. “People are avoiding going to work, taking their children to school, or seeking help. This will affect not only Chester but the entire region.” Michael Sussman, a former candidate for Orange County executive, called the project “a concentration camp” and denounced the lack of limits on federal power: “We are living through a dangerous moment in the country’s history.”
back to top
COPYRIGHT 2026
La Voz, Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson
The community reacted strongly in response to the news. On January 12, 2026, about 500 people arrived at the Chester Village Senior Center for their regular public meeting, which had to be moved due to the expected number of attendees. Residents of the town and nearby communities denounced what they consider a direct threat to human dignity, community safety, and daily life.
Weeks later, on January 29, in frigid temperatures, an estimated 700 people protested at Chester Commons Park. There, representatives from organizations such as the Rural Migrant Ministry (RMM) and For the Many denounced the “dehumanization” of detention policies and the impact such a center would have on the region.
Representatives from both parties have already stated their rejection of the ICE proposal, including Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, County Legislature Chair Laurie Tautel, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, and even Orange County Executive, Republican Steve Neuhaus. Neuhaus called the proposal “catastrophic” for the community and criticized the lack of communication from the DHS. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James also criticized the proposal.
“The administration’s policies have militarized immigration enforcement and given ICE a budget larger than most armies. The result is an agency that operates inhumanely and without accountability,” said Congressman Pat Ryan (D NY18), who launched a public petition demanding that the plan be withdrawn. The petition surpassed 10,000 signatures in the first week and reached over 20,000 two weeks later. Ryan believes the community “will win this fight” if they remain united and vocal.
The scope for local action is limited. In the United States, federal properties are not subject to municipal zoning laws, a situation that has already allowed the opening of detention centers in communities that openly rejected them. Similar cases have occurred in Texas and New Jersey, where ICE proceeded despite continuous protests from residents and local authorities.
In addition to humanitarian and political concerns, there are serious environmental warnings. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) warned that the proposed site is located in a 100-year floodplain and could affect wetlands, endangered species, and the water supply. The DEC also questioned how wastewater and stormwater drainage would be handled, noting that the town of Chester does not have sufficient sewer capacity.
“Families are already living in fear,” said Roni Balderas, a Middletown resident, before the Chester town board. “People are avoiding going to work, taking their children to school, or seeking help. This will affect not only Chester but the entire region.” Michael Sussman, a former candidate for Orange County executive, called the project “a concentration camp” and denounced the lack of limits on federal power: “We are living through a dangerous moment in the country’s history.”
back to top
COPYRIGHT 2026
La Voz, Cultura y noticias hispanas del Valle de Hudson
Comments | |
| Sorry, there are no comments at this time. |