Chester community rallies against proposed ICE processing center
The potential site is tied to ICE’s broader effort to expand detention and deportation operations nationwide.
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Hundreds of residents from Chester and across Orange County packed a village Town Hall meeting to voice opposition to a proposed plan that could turn a former Pep Boys auto supply facility into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center.
The potential site is tied to ICE’s broader effort to expand detention and deportation operations nationwide.
Organizers say the facility would be used to “warehouse” immigrants, a concept they strongly reject. Protesters filled the meeting and gathered outside, calling the proposal a violation of human rights and community values.
Chester’s mayor said no government agency has formally contacted the town about using the property. However, a flood plan notice posted on the Department of Homeland Security’s website lists the site for intended use, raising concerns.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has compared the agency’s deportation strategy to an Amazon-style distribution model, saying operations should be run “like Prime, but with human beings.”
Residents say they will continue to organize and push back against any plan to use the site as a detention or processing center.
