CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN LAUNCHES HUDSON VALLEY WIDE PETITION TO STOP PROPOSED ICE FACILITY IN CHESTER

Congressman Pat Ryan Launches Hudson Valley Wide Petition to Stop Proposed ICE Facility in Chester

The Washington Post reported that a warehouse in Chester, NY would be part of a larger ICE plan to house 80,000 immigrants in warehouses across the country; Congressman Ryan and Orange County leaders - receiving no warning from the Administration - immediately sounded the alarm

Following the murder of a U.S. citizen by ICE in Minnesota - and the Administration's subsequent lack of cooperation or transparency with local authorities - Ryan is rallying the Hudson Valley community to stop the opening of proposed ICE facility in Orange County

Community members are encouraged to sign this petition in opposition to the proposed facility

CHESTER, NY - Today, following the horrific murder of an American citizen by ICE in Minnesota - and the Trump Administration's subsequent lack of cooperation or transparency with local authorities- Congressman Pat Ryan is rallying the Hudson Valley community to stop the opening of a proposed ICE facility in Orange County.

The proposed facility would use a vacant warehouse in Chester, NY as part of a larger Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plan to house 80,000 migrants in warehouses nationwide. Ryan and bipartisan local leaders, receiving no warning or information from the Administration, immediately sounded the alarm.

"Our Hudson Valley community strongly rejects the Trump Administration's plans for mass detention camps across the country, especially in our own backyard. It's shameful, un-American, and the exact opposite of everything our community stands for," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "The horrific murder of a U.S. citizen in Minnesota - by an agency with a budget bigger than most militaries, which the Administration absolutely refuses to hold accountable - is yet another example of their dangerous and un-American overreach. We're seeing law-abiding members of our community snatched off the streets with no due process, and whether that's at facilities in NY or across the country, we cannot accept it. Especially given the total lack of coordination with our local government, our community needs to speak up - loudly - if we want to prevent ICE from moving in, terrorizing our neighbors, and making us all less safe. So I'm asking every member of our community to make their voices heard, as we stand together on the side of justice, accountability, and humanity."

"ICE has no place in Chester, the Hudson Valley, New York, or the country at this point. The well documented abuses and illegal actions being carried out by this President's Department of Homeland Security are out of control," said Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge. "I'm proud to work with Congressman Ryan to disincentivize this rogue, unlawful, and un-American agency from stepping foot in our town. Please sign this petition to make your voice heard on this."

"An ICE facility in Chester-or anywhere in Orange County-is not something I can support," said Laurie Tautel, Orange County Legislature Chairwoman. "Our residents deserve to live without fear, and our local governments should be focused on policies that build trust, protect families, and support the well-being of our communities. This proposal moves us in the opposite direction."

"As a first-generation daughter of immigrants and representative of a largely immigrant community, I want to be clear: opposing an ICE detention facility is necessary, but it is not enough," said County Legislator and Democratic Caucus Leader Genesis Ramos."Immigrant families are living in fear, and that fear is hurting our neighbors and our local economy. Latino-owned, family-run businesses are struggling because people are afraid to leave their homes. We must stand against this proposal and also show up for our immigrant community, by supporting our neighbors, our local businesses, and one another. This is about dignity, safety, and refusing to let our community carry this burden alone. We cannot allow fear-based policies to define our community. As we fight what does not belong here, we must stay grounded in who we are fighting for, because increased ICE presence will only cause harm, not safety."

"ICE has divided communities across this country and put our residents at risk. For the past year, many of their actions have been inappropriate and some are downright illegal. The Federal government's proposed ICE facility in Chester is an 80,000 square/foot affront to our values as Americans," said Yvette Valdes-Smith, Dutchess County Legislature Chairwoman."Everyone, no matter what their status, deserves due process under the law. We in the Hudson Valley value living in a community that treats our neighbors with dignity and respect. As elected officials, citizens, and humans, we oppose this facility."

"The Ulster Immigrant Defense Network ("UIDN") opposes building an immigration detention facility in Chester, NY.," said Victor Cueva, UIDN Executive Director. "Detention centers are places where there have been reported inhumane conditions for immigrants, and many reported deaths. We do not support the continued dehumanization of community members through ICE enforcement actions and detention."

Community members are encouraged to sign this petitionin opposition to the proposed facility.

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