Roxbury Township vows legal fight after ICE closes on Route 46 property for proposed detention center
ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Officials in Roxbury Township say they will pursue legal action after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement closed on a Route 46 property for a proposed immigration detention center, despite unanimous local opposition.
In a statement, the mayor and Township Council said they were “profoundly disappointed” that ICE finalized the purchase of 1879 Route 46 from Dalfen Industrial. Goldman Sachs was the majority partner in the transaction. The council had previously approved Resolution 2026-029 opposing the use of the site as a detention center.
Township officials said they spent the past eight weeks exploring “every fact-based and lawful avenue available” to prevent the sale and thanked residents and local professionals who advocated against the project.
“Roxbury Township will not passively accept this outcome,” officials said, adding that the council and its legal team are prepared to challenge the development in court. They cited concerns about infrastructure capacity, easements, environmental constraints and intermunicipal agreements that they say must be examined through the legal process.
Local leaders argued the property is not appropriate for a detention facility, describing it as an unapproved use within a suburban residential area. They also raised concerns about limitations in water and sewer infrastructure and the strain on local emergency services.
The township’s volunteer fire and emergency medical services departments, along with its 42-member police department, are not structured to absorb the demands such a facility would impose, officials said. The police department has already dedicated about $20,000 to the matter, which officials said has limited services to residents.
Financial concerns also played a central role in the township’s opposition. Officials estimate a loss of approximately $1.8 million annually in tax revenue affecting the township, school district and Morris County — a projected $85 million over 30 years.
The Township Council authorized its manager and legal counsel to negotiate with Dalfen Industrial, including offering up to 10 years of tax abatements totaling approximately $20 million to encourage alternative redevelopment aligned with community interests. Officials said those efforts did not result in a collaborative solution.
“It is extremely disappointing that Dalfen Industrial prioritized profits over community,” the statement said.
Township officials also expressed frustration with federal engagement. They said repeated communications to the Department of Homeland Security regarding the site selection went unanswered.
Despite those concerns, U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., said Saturday his office worked closely with township officials and engaged directly with senior DHS leadership.
“I understand the frustration and emotion this situation has created,” Kean said in a statement. “The residents of Roxbury can be assured that I will not stop fighting for a workable solution.”
Kean added that most residents, as well as the state and country, support removing criminal migrants from communities and stopping the flow of fentanyl, and he called for continued constructive engagement.
Township officials said they remain committed to pursuing all lawful options and will continue to keep residents informed as the situation develops.
