ICE Purchases Chester Warehouse for Detention Center in the Hudson Valley

Photo Credit: Google Earth

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has purchased a warehouse in Chester, N.Y., to create a detention facility, according to an ICE spokesperson on Feb. 12. The federal government plans to hold 1,500 people in the facility, which is an hour away from Marist University. 

However, as of Feb. 14, no new deeds have been recorded or filed in Orange county according to the county clerk and county attorney. 

The 401,000 square-foot site in Chester is part of a larger, nationwide plan by the Department of Homeland Security to establish detention centers to hold a total of 90,000 immigrants.

More than 53 federal, state and county representatives have signed a letter opposing the Chester detention center. An additional petition, issued by Congressman Pat Ryan, opposing the proposal has also surpassed 20,000 signatures. 

This announcement comes two weeks after hundreds of Hudson Valley residents gathered to protest the proposed facility on Jan 29. A second protest was later held on Feb. 16 in New Windsor, where ICE has been operating. 

“It’s shameful, un-American and the exact opposite of everything our community stands for,” said Ryan to the crowd outside the Town Commons Park on Jan. 29.

Ryan was joined by Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos, Council member Giselle Martinez and several local advocates, who shared speeches and personal anecdotes opposing ICE and rallying community support.

While the facility would be located in Orange County, protestors argued that its effects would likely extend beyond Chester, specifically into neighboring communities and college campuses. 

According to IceOut.org, there have been ICE officer sightings in the Hudson Valley region as recently as Feb. 16. 

Proximity concerns contributed to a significant student presence at the Jan. 29 and Feb. 16 protests. The Marist Democrats club offered transportation to and from Chester to encourage turnout. 

“I think it’s hard for people to truly comprehend the severity of an issue until they see the problem firsthand,” said Marist Democrats President Julian Greene ‘26. “Knowing that ICE could be down the street from their school makes this issue real to so many people.” 

Although ICE has confirmed the purchase, a timeline for the construction or operation of the facility has not yet been announced.