Advocates Say DHS Is Using Roxbury Warehouse for Detention in Violation of Court Order

Immigrant advocates say the Department of Homeland Security is using its 470,000-square-foot Roxbury warehouse, purchased in February for $129 million, to hold migrant detainees despite a May consent order barring detention use until DHS completes an environmental assessment and returns to court. Dover Councilwoman Sandra Wittner said she believes people arrested in a September 4 immigration raid in Dover were taken to the warehouse before being transported to the Elizabeth Detention Center, and residents reported ICE vehicles matching those used in the raid outside the site that morning. In a legal filing, state officials told the judge overseeing the dispute that they had heard reports of the warehouse being used for immigration enforcement, and Attorney General Jen Davenport said the state would seek relief if federal officials are found to be violating the order. DHS declined to comment, citing pending litigation.