Rep. Ryan raises alarm on New Windsor office space leased for ICE operations

U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan shared his outrage over a reported leased office space in New Windsor for Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Hudson Valley. According to a statement released by Ryan, the facility has been operating with any notice given to local or federal elected officials.

“The Administration continues to escalate directly against the will of the people of the Hudson Valley, who strongly reject ICE’s dangerous, unconstitutional, un-American attempts to move into our community, terrorize our neighbors, and make us all less safe,” said Ryan. “Especially after what we’ve seen in Minnesota – the surge of agents killing civilians, detaining children, and breaking into people’s homes, we should all be concerned about their repeated attempts to move into our community. Additionally, this was done, as is increasingly the case, without any coordination with local or federal representatives for the area – as [New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti] has rightly pointed out. That’s why I’m demanding immediate answers from the Administration. The power to keep ICE out is in our hands – and I won’t give up this fight.”

In a letter sent to ICE and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Ryan demanded answers to why the facility has been operating without notice and what, if any connection, it has to the proposed ICE detention facility in Chester. Read the letter below.

I write to demand answers regarding reports of office space newly leased by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 843 Union Avenue, New Windsor, New York. This space is located in NY’s 18th Congressional District, which I have the privilege of representing. My office has received reports that your agency has been operating out of this location without any notification to local or federal elected officials. This is unacceptable and demonstrates the same contempt for transparency and safety that we are seeing from ICE nationwide.

I demand complete responses to the following questions by Feb. 20:

When did ICE first lease or occupy 843 Union Avenue in New Windsor, N.Y.?

What is the duration and total cost of the lease?

What is the specific purpose of this office and what operations are being conducted?

How many personnel are stationed there, and what roles do they occupy?

Why was no notification given to local and federal elected officials before ICE began operations?

Will individuals be detained at this location? If so, for how long and under what conditions?

Is this office connected to your agency’s plans to convert the warehouse in Chester, N.Y., into a detention facility - the facility your agency reportedly described as operating “Like Prime, but with human beings”?

Let me be clear: the Hudson Valley does not support ICE expansion in our community. More than 20,000 people have signed my petition opposing the proposed Chester detention facility. Bipartisan local leaders have condemned your plans. Our community has spoken with one voice: ICE’s terror campaign has no place here.

Your agency promised to focus on deporting violent criminals. Instead, we’re seeing innocent civilians harassed, children separated from families, and constitutional violations including warrantless home entries. Now ICE is quietly expanding its footprint in Orange County without consulting the people who live here.

This is not how agencies operate in a democracy. The Hudson Valley will not stand for it.

I expect full answers within 10 business days and demand that ICE immediately brief local elected officials and community leaders on all current and planned operations in Orange County.

I will use every tool at my disposal, legislative action, oversight, and community organizing, to fight back against ICE’s unconstitutional operations in the Hudson Valley and across this country.

When did ICE first lease or occupy 843 Union Avenue in New Windsor.

What is the duration and total cost of the lease?

What is the specific purpose of this office and what operations are being conducted?