ICE Eyes Historic Fort Wadsworth for Immigrant Detention

URGENT UPDATE: Federal authorities are reportedly considering the historic Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island as a potential site for detaining immigrants. This development comes amid rising tensions and significant concern from local officials about the implications of such a move.

According to the New York Times, officials from ICE visited the former military installation overlooking New York Bay last week to evaluate its suitability for temporarily housing immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While the agency has not confirmed whether it will proceed with the plan, the mere suggestion has raised alarms among Staten Island leaders.

Local representatives, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, have expressed strong opposition to the idea. “The site is not suitable to house migrants,” Malliotakis stated firmly, emphasizing that she has communicated her concerns directly to federal officials. She highlighted the strategic importance of Fort Wadsworth for U.S. Coast Guard operations and its historical significance.

Currently, most immigrants apprehended by ICE in New York City are processed at the agency’s office in Lower Manhattan before being transferred to jails and detention facilities in New Jersey, upstate New York, or Pennsylvania. Notably, New York City has lacked a major immigration detention center since the 2010 closure of the Varick Street Detention Facility, which had a capacity for up to 250 detainees.

Fort Wadsworth spans 226 acres and hosts offices and housing for the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Park Police. Critics argue that repurposing the site for immigration detention would be an inappropriate use of federal property, especially given its historical and operational significance.

ICE has been expanding its detention capacity in the New York region this year, planning to hold over 100 detainees at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, and up to 50 at Nassau County jail on Long Island. Additionally, a new 1,000-bed facility is being developed across the Hudson River in Newark, while contracts with several county jails in upstate New York have also been established.

As discussions about the future of Fort Wadsworth continue, local leaders are urging the public to stay informed and engaged. The community’s concerns about potential immigration detention in their neighborhood are palpable, highlighting the urgent need for transparency and dialogue with federal authorities.

With ICE’s decision pending, residents and officials alike are left to wonder what the next steps will be in this developing situation. The potential use of Fort Wadsworth as a detention site remains uncertain, but its implications could significantly affect the Staten Island community and beyond. Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.