Empty Beds, Full Budget: Newark's $1 Billion ICE Facility Raises Questions

Newark's New ICE Detention Facility: A $1 Billion Question of Capacity and Priorities Newark, NJ – A new ICE detention facility in Newark, NJ, boasting a 1000-bed capacity, currently houses only 152 detainees, representing a mere 15% occupancy rate. This raises concerns about the allocation of resources, especially considering the Trump administration's reported expenditure of $21 million on transporting undocumented migrants. The low occupancy is explained by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, who stated, "The teams out here in New York and New Jersey are focused on the worst of the worst and getting those individuals off the street that have been let go by a lot of these sanctuary jurisdictions." This statement highlights a policy prioritizing the detention of individuals deemed high-risk. However, the contrast between the facility's substantial cost—$1 billion over 15 years—and its current underutilization is striking. The reporter's attempts to delve deeper into due process concerns were cut short by ICE officials citing security reasons, leaving questions unanswered about the long-term implications of this facility's operation. The situation underscores the complex interplay of immigration policy, resource management, and the legal rights of detainees.