Everyone's Talking About The Newburgh ICE Warehouse Except ICE
One Town of Newburgh Board member goes Full MAGA while Orange County takes step to stop the possible detention center.
As of this writing, representatives from ICE and the DHS have not replied to requests for comment concerning 800 Corporate Boulevard in the Town of Newburgh.
That’s too bad because we had a question for the USDA about whether or not they murdered a bunch of geese this week and they got RIGHT back to us.
(The answer is no. They did not murder, at the request of Monroe Village Mayor Alex Melchiorrie, the geese at the Millpond. What’s happened to the geese though is a bit of a mystery. We’ll get to that one later.)
Yesterday, Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos released the following statement, via Facebook, concerning ICE’s potential concentration camp. The building in its current state is pictured below thanks to a brave Monroe Gazette reader.
“Today, I introduced a resolution in the Rules Committee urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE to immediately halt plans for a proposed immigration processing and/or detention facility in the Town of Newburgh. The resolution received unanimous bipartisan support and now heads to the full Legislature.”
[Reader Note: This starts at 22:16 in the video below]
“This is not the first time we’ve taken this stand. In February, the Orange County Legislature voted unanimously to vehemently oppose the proposed ICE detention facility in Chester. That proposal was ultimately abandoned. This opposition is rooted in a federal government that continues to undermine local communities by advancing major decisions without transparency, meaningful local input, or respect for any other level of government. My opposition is also rooted in the rogue, out-of-control conduct of ICE as an agency, and I am unequivocal about that.
Many have asked what Orange County can do to stop this. The reality is that our legal authority is limited. Under home rule and the Supremacy Clause, the County cannot block the federal government from contracting with a private property owner to operate a facility or enact a moratorium. But limited legal authority does not mean silence. It means using every tool we do have, including unanimous bipartisan action, public pressure, and a united county voice to demand that DHS abandon this proposal. The legal authority rests on the Town of Newburgh government.
Town of Newburgh Supervisor Gil Piaquadio is circulating a letter that has already garnered broad bipartisan support from elected officials across Orange County. That level of unity sends a clear message. This resolution goes to a full vote at our August 6th legislative session.”
But not everyone in the Town of Newburgh is thrilled with the move to stop ICE in Newburgh.
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That brings us to Paul Ruggiero, a Republican member of the Newburgh Town Board. Some of you may recall, Paul “won” re-election to the Town Board by one vote after a lot of controversy. (This election is currently subject to an investigation by The Monroe Gazette and we’ll have it more on it in the coming weeks.)
Councilman Ruggiero put out a statement of his own following the Newburgh Town Board meeting that we covered here.
Dear Fellow Town of Newburgh Residents,
There has been a great deal of discussion surrounding the resolution adopted at Monday night’s Town Board meeting regarding the proposed ICE facility. I want to take this opportunity to clarify my position.
First, the federal government has not contacted the Town regarding the placement or operation of any ICE facility. The resolution was not a statement against ICE or the dedicated men and women who serve in law enforcement.
I fully support ICE and all law enforcement agencies for the important work they do to protect our communities and uphold the law. My concern with the proposed facility is its potential impact on our Town Police Department. If large-scale protests were to occur, our department could be significantly strained in maintaining public safety. [Emphasis Added. Also, LOL.]
As I understand it, Governor Hochul has directed that the New York State Police not provide security or intervention at ICE facilities in New York, which could leave the responsibility for responding to demonstrations primarily to our local police department. That possibility was a significant factor in my decision to support the resolution.
[Reader note: This is a lie by Ruggiero, but just for fun, we did reach out to Governor Hochul’s office to respond to this claim.]
It’s also important to understand the broader context. A few years ago, county jails in New York were permitted to house individuals for federal immigration purposes. After that practice was discontinued by the state, it changed how these facilities could be utilized, contributing to discussions about alternative locations.
[Reader note: This is also a lie. The Monroe Gazette recently covered the RECENT conditions of ICE detainees at Orange County Jail. Ruggiero is referring to a change in the law that would end this practice as of this year.]
I also want to be clear with my supporters and all Town of Newburgh residents: I support ICE carrying out its lawful responsibilities, and I believe those responsibilities should always be carried out professionally, with respect and dignity of every individual.
While people may have different views on immigration policy, my responsibility as a Town Board member is to make decisions based on what is in the best interest of our community, including ensuring that our local police have the resources they need to keep our residents safe.
Thank you for taking the time to understand my position.
With much respect,
Councilman Paul Ruggiero
Here, for those who don’t know, is what it looks like when ICE carries out its “lawful responsibilities”
You notice how Ruggiero’s more concerned about protestors than the Concentration Camp in his backyard? That’s how you know he’s one of the Bad Guys.
One attendee at the Newburgh Town Board meeting told us, “He [Ruggiero] sat there Monday night while a steady stream of residents expressed heartfelt concern for this facility and he kept a smug expressionless look on his face because he never supported the opposition to the facility. He sat emotionless while councilmember Mary McLymore spoke out about racism and her struggles and how she won't stand for this in her town. He played with his pen and stared straight ahead.”
Whether or not Ruggiero’s statement was approved by the rest of the Town Board is unknown at this time. The Monroe Gazette has sent an email requesting comment from the Town.
P.S. On Friday’s, I try to run the podcast. It takes forever to edit those transcripts though since I refuse to use AI. So the podcast will return next Friday as we talk about how to FOIA the federal government and agencies like ICE.