Democrats Oppose Migrant Detention Plans at New Jersey, Indiana Bases

The Trump administration has announced plans to use sections of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Camp Atterbury in Indiana as temporary detention centers for undocumented immigrants, a move authorized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This initiative aligns with President Trump's broader immigration enforcement agenda that includes expanding detention capacity. New Jersey and Indiana Democratic lawmakers strongly oppose the plan, criticizing it as an inappropriate use of military resources that could jeopardize military readiness and militarize immigration enforcement. They argue the decision is inhumane and politicizes the military, with concerns about lack of transparency and oversight regarding detainee conditions. The bases previously sheltered Afghan refugees after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and officials have stated the detention use will not interfere with military operations. The announcement follows increased federal funding for immigration detention facilities, with $45 million allocated under a recent spending bill signed by President Trump.