ICE Buys Orange County Warehouse for New Immigration Detention Center

The planned facility faces opposition from state and local leaders over environmental risks, logistical burdens, and lack of communication from federal authorities.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have purchased an empty warehouse in the Orange County village of Chester, New York to build a new immigration detention center. The move is part of a nationwide initiative by the agency to expand its holding capacity. However, state and local leaders have voiced strong opposition to the facility due to concerns over severe environmental risks, logistical burdens on the community, and a perceived lack of communication from federal authorities.

Why it matters

The planned ICE detention center in Chester has sparked significant backlash from New York state and local officials who argue the facility poses environmental threats, will strain local infrastructure, and was proposed without proper engagement with the community. This clash highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and state/local resistance to new detention centers.

The details

ICE purchased a 35.9-acre property at 29 Elizabeth Drive in Chester, which was previously a PepBoys distribution warehouse. The agency plans to construct the detention center, a guard building, and an outdoor recreation area on the site. According to an ICE spokesperson, the project is expected to support 1,246 local jobs and generate $37.2 million in tax revenue. However, state environmental officials and the New York Attorney General's Office have raised concerns about the property's location in a 100-year floodplain and the presence of regulated freshwater wetlands that are habitats for endangered species. There are also doubts about the village of Chester's ability to handle the additional sewage that would be generated by housing hundreds of detainees. Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus has expressed opposition, citing a lack of communication from federal authorities and the financial strain that policing protests at the site would place on local taxpayers.

  • ICE purchased the property on February 13, 2026.
  • The agency plans to activate the detention center by the end of November 2026 as part of its Detention Reengineering Initiative.

The players

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including the operation of detention centers.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York, who has forcefully condemned the planned ICE detention center in Chester.

Steven Neuhaus

The Republican Orange County Executive, who has expressed concerns about the facility's impact on local infrastructure and the financial burden of policing protests.

Pat Ryan

A U.S. Congressman from New York who has gathered over 20,000 signatures on a community petition opposing the ICE facilities in Orange County.

Brandon Holdridge

The Supervisor of the Town of Chester, who has stated that the community does not support the ICE detention center or the agency's "abuses of power" and "acts of violence."

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What they’re saying

“My administration will not stand for it.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (mytwintiers.com)

“The state, country, and world needs to know we do not support this facility, we do not support their abuses of power, and we do not support their acts of violence.”

— Brandon Holdridge, Supervisor of the Town of Chester (mytwintiers.com)

What’s next

The New York Attorney General's Office has requested that the public comment period for the proposed ICE detention center be extended from 8 days to 95 days to allow for more community input. Federal officials have yet to confirm or deny plans for a potential third ICE facility location in Woodbury, New York.

The takeaway

The planned ICE detention center in Orange County, New York has sparked fierce opposition from state and local leaders who argue the facility poses environmental risks, will strain local infrastructure, and was proposed without proper communication with the community. This clash highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement efforts and state/local resistance to new detention centers.