By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey is preparing for a significant expansion of private immigration detention facilities, raising concerns among local leaders and advocates.
According to a recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing by the GEO Group, Inc., the company is pursuing a 15-year contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for a facility in Newark.
The contract, anticipated to be finalized by December, could begin with a capacity of 600 beds and potentially expand.
This development follows the release of additional documents by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) revealing plans for new detention facilities in Trenton and the expansion of the Elizabeth Detention Center, the state’s sole operational immigration jail.
Advocates warn that these moves align with the incoming Trump administration’s renewed focus on mass detention and deportation, potentially positioning New Jersey as a key hub for immigration enforcement in the Northeast.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka criticized the plans, saying the expansion represents a drastic departure from American ideals of inclusion. “New Jersey has been a beacon for those seeking justice and peace,” he said. “We will continue to protect the most vulnerable at all costs.”
Legal and Legislative Challenges
The detention plans come amid ongoing legal battles over New Jersey’s AB5207, a law banning public and private immigration detention facilities. Although the law is under appeal, the litigation timeline means facilities like Newark’s Delaney Hall could remain operational for the full 15-year term.
State lawmakers are also pushing measures to safeguard immigrant communities. The proposed Immigrant Trust Act would limit the voluntary sharing of private information with federal immigration authorities, requiring judicial warrants for such disclosures. Advocates argue this law is essential to protect the state’s large immigrant population, including over 196,000 U.S. citizen children with undocumented family members.
Federal Oversight and Local Impacts
Adding to the urgency, President-elect Donald Trump has named former ICE Director Thomas Homan as a “border czar.” Homan’s role will include overseeing immigration enforcement nationwide, including New Jersey, which falls within the 100-mile “border zone” where ICE can conduct warrantless immigration checks. When asked about the potential for family separations during deportations, Homan stated, “Families can be deported together.”
Advocates, including the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, are calling for stronger state-level protections. They have urged the legislature to expand programs like the Deportation and Detention Defense Initiative, which provides legal assistance to those at risk of deportation.
Political Response
Governor Phil Murphy and 2025 gubernatorial candidates have signaled strong opposition to federal immigration policies. At a recent roundtable, leaders, including former Senate President Steve Sweeney and Newark Mayor Baraka, called for the swift passage of the Immigrant Trust Act. “We have to ensure none of our resources support these actions,” said Mayor Sean Spiller of Montclair.
Governor Murphy emphasized his administration’s commitment to counteracting federal policies that clash with state values. “We will be very aggressive, with legal action, bull horns, or whatever else is necessary,” Murphy said. “If it’s contrary to our values, we will fight to the death.”
As New Jersey braces for the potential expansion of detention facilities, the state’s leaders and residents remain committed in their stance to defend immigrant communities and uphold the values they hold dear.