ICE Considering New Jersey for Detention Center

WASHINGTON — One of three sites being considered by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency for a massive federal detention center for illegal immigrants is in Essex County, N.J.
 
ICE wants to locate a 2,250-bed center within two hours of New York and Philadelphia to consolidate the expense of holding and transporting illegal immigrants in the northeast.
 
Essex County has proposed using parts of the county’s correctional facility in Newark, as well as Delaney Hall, an adjacent residential center that prepares criminal offenders for re-entry into society. It would also build a third structure on the premises.
 
Such an operation would create huge revenue for Essex County, according to reports. A decision from ICE is expected by mid January.