Democrats Oppose Migrant Detention at Military Bases/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats are denouncing a plan to house undocumented immigrants at military bases in New Jersey and Indiana, calling it dangerous and inhumane. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the use of Camp Atterbury and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as temporary holding sites. The move aligns with Trump’s push to expand immigration enforcement through military resources.
Democrats Criticize Base Detention Plan: Quick Looks
- Military bases in NJ and Indiana to house migrants
- Camp Atterbury and Joint Base McGuire-Dix selected as detention sites
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the facility transformation
- Trump’s $170B immigration bill expands detention infrastructure
- Democrats call move inhumane, militarized, and politically driven
- Joint Base McGuire-Dix is largest tri-service base on East Coast
- Hegseth claims plan won’t impact military readiness
- Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Conaway lead Democratic backlash
- ICE’s new detention push includes Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ camp
- NJ already hosts private immigrant detention centers
Deep Look: Democrats Blast Trump Plan to Detain Migrants on Military Bases in New Jersey, Indiana
WASHINGTON — A Trump administration plan to house undocumented immigrants at U.S. military bases has sparked sharp condemnation from Democratic lawmakers, who called it inhumane, dangerous to military preparedness, and a sign of politicized immigration enforcement.
The plan, confirmed this week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, would repurpose parts of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Camp Atterbury in Indiana into “temporary soft-sided holding facilities” for detained migrants.
Both bases, previously used to shelter Afghan refugees after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, are now being eyed as key parts of President Donald Trump’s massive immigration crackdown, which seeks to expand federal detention capacity to record levels.
Democratic Leaders Sound the Alarm
In a joint statement, New Jersey Democratic leaders, including Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, along with Reps. Conaway, McIver, Norcross, Menendez, Pallone, Watson Coleman, Gottheimer, and Pou, condemned the plan in strong terms.
“This is an inappropriate use of our national defense system and militarizes a radical immigration policy that has resulted in the inhumane treatment of undocumented immigrants,” the statement said.
“Using our military to detain immigrants jeopardizes readiness and paves the way for ICE raids in New Jersey communities. It’s unacceptable and shameful.”
Indiana Democrats voiced similar opposition, expressing concern over the expansion of detention operations into military facilities without oversight or transparency about conditions.
Hegseth Defends Readiness
In letters sent to lawmakers, Secretary Hegseth assured Congress that the repurposing of the bases would not interfere with military training, operations, or readiness, according to NJ Spotlight News.
Still, no timeline has been provided for when the facilities will become operational. The Department of Defense said the plan is subject to further coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is the only tri-service base in the United States, supporting Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. With over 45,000 military and civilian staff across 42,000 acres, it is considered strategically vital to U.S. defense operations on the East Coast.
Camp Atterbury, located in Indiana, spans 34,000 acres and has hosted large-scale training exercises for the Army National Guard and active-duty military forces.
Fueling the Largest Deportation Push in U.S. History
The base expansion is part of a broader effort stemming from Trump’s recently signed “Big Beautiful Bill,” a massive immigration package that allocates up to $170 billion over the next several years, including $45 billion specifically for detention center expansion.
The law supports what Trump has described as the largest deportation operation in American history, targeting undocumented immigrants for arrest, detention, and removal — even those with no criminal records.
The legislation also funds controversial new detention facilities, including a site in Florida’s Everglades surrounded by alligators — nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Political Fallout and Legal Questions
The decision to use military bases for immigration detention has raised significant legal and ethical concerns, especially in states already hosting private ICE detention centers, such as Delaney Hall and Elizabeth Detention Center in New Jersey.
Delaney Hall was the scene of a political showdown in May when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested during a protest. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was later federally charged with allegedly interfering with federal agents during the same incident.
Critics say the military’s involvement in immigration policy sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to expanded executive power and a further erosion of civil liberties.
“This approach echoes some of the darkest chapters in American policy,” said one civil rights attorney. “Detaining civilians on military property is not what our armed forces were designed for.”
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