Military Bases in New Jersey and Indiana to House Illegal Immigrants, Sparking Fierce Backlash from Democrats
In a move stirring up controversy, the Department of Defense has announced plans to repurpose parts of two major military installations — Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Camp Atterbury in Indiana — as “temporary soft-sided holding facilities” for illegal immigrants. This decision, made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has ignited sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers who say the use of military bases for immigration detention is both inappropriate and harmful.
What’s Going On?
According to a statement provided to Fox News Digital, the Pentagon revealed that these military bases will soon house migrants while they await their immigration proceedings. The bases, which have previously served other humanitarian functions — including sheltering thousands of Afghan refugees during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 — will now play a role in Homeland Security’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
While the Defense Department insists the move won’t disrupt military readiness or training, several New Jersey Democrats aren’t buying it.
Democrats Push Back Hard
A coalition of Democratic representatives and senators from New Jersey fired back in a joint statement, slamming the decision as a misuse of the nation's military resources. The group includes notable figures such as Reps. Herb Conaway, LaMonica McIver, Donald Norcross, Rob Menendez, Frank Pallone, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Josh Gottheimer, Nellie Pou, along with Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim.
They argue that this militarizes what they describe as a “radical immigration policy” that has already led to what they call “inhumane treatment” of undocumented immigrants — including children — and even wrongful deportations of U.S. citizens. The lawmakers warn that repurposing military bases for detention purposes could open the door for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in every community across New Jersey.
Here’s a direct quote from their joint statement that highlights their frustration:
“Using our country’s military to detain and hold undocumented immigrants jeopardizes military preparedness and paves the way for ICE immigration raids in every New Jersey community. We have the greatest military in the world, and using it as a domestic political tool is unacceptable and shameful.”
About the Bases: Why This Matters
For context, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is a huge, tri-service military installation operated by the Air Force, Army, and Navy — the only one of its kind in the United States. Spanning a massive 42,000 acres, it houses around 45,000 military and civilian personnel, making it one of the most strategically significant bases on the East Coast.
Camp Atterbury, on the other hand, is a sprawling 34,000-acre Army and Air National Guard base near Edinburgh, Indiana. It has long been used for brigade training and large-scale military operations.
Turning such important military assets into immigrant detention centers raises serious questions about operational priorities and national security — concerns echoed by many military supporters.
The Bigger Picture: Immigration Enforcement Under Trump
This development fits into a broader, aggressive immigration enforcement agenda that’s been ramped up under the Trump administration. Since President Trump took office, Homeland Security has increasingly relied on detention centers to hold migrants while they await asylum hearings or deportation.
Just recently, Trump signed the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” into law, allocating somewhere between $150 billion and $170 billion over the coming years to bolster immigration enforcement efforts. A significant chunk of that — $45 billion — is earmarked specifically to expand immigration detention facilities nationwide.
The administration has made it clear this is part of an ambitious push to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
“Alligator Alcatraz”: The New Florida Detention Camp
Adding a bizarre twist to the immigration enforcement saga, earlier this month the Trump administration opened a new detention facility deep in Florida’s Everglades. Surrounded by swamps teeming with alligators, the camp has quickly earned the chilling nickname “Alligator Alcatraz.”
The facility is meant to hold immigrants temporarily but has sparked outrage and concerns over safety and humane treatment.
Political and Community Fallout
Back in New Jersey, the debate is particularly heated. The state already hosts two immigration detention facilities — Delaney Hall and the Elizabeth Detention Center — though these are privately run. Both have been flashpoints for protests and political drama.
In May, Newark’s Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing after a confrontation with federal immigration officials at Delaney Hall. Around the same time, Rep. LaMonica McIver faced federal charges for allegedly interfering with federal officers during that incident.
Now, with plans to convert military bases into immigrant holding centers, local Democratic leaders are doubling down on their opposition.
What Does the Defense Department Say?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly wrote directly to Rep. Herb Conaway to inform him of the decision. Hegseth emphasized in his letter that the military’s operations, training, and readiness would not be negatively affected by the change. This reassurance, however, has failed to calm Democratic lawmakers’ concerns.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear exactly when the bases will begin operating as migrant detention sites. The timing will depend on operational needs and coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Points to Watch Moving Forward:
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Military Readiness vs. Immigration Enforcement: Will repurposing major military bases undermine national defense priorities? Critics argue it could; officials insist it won’t.
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Impact on Local Communities: The possibility of increased ICE raids and detention operations spreading into communities raises fears of disruption and heightened tension.
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Political Divisions: Democrats are vocally opposing the move as a political stunt that harms both immigrants and the military. Republicans and administration officials argue it’s a practical solution amid growing immigration pressures.
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Funding and Expansion: The massive budget boost for immigration enforcement means more detention centers and tougher policies nationwide — a trend likely to continue.
Why Should You Care?
Whether you’re in New Jersey, Indiana, or anywhere else in the country, the use of military bases for immigration detention signals a shift in how the U.S. government is handling border security and immigration. It raises important questions about the balance between national security, humanitarian concerns, and the rule of law.
As debates rage in Washington and on the ground, the reality is millions of immigrants and local communities are directly affected. The controversy over “militarizing” immigration enforcement is far from over — and it’s shaping up to be a major issue heading into the next election cycle.
If you want to keep up with this story, watch for announcements on when the bases open, any legal challenges, and how both sides respond politically. This is a high-stakes clash with implications for immigration policy, military readiness, and civil rights.
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