As part of ongoing immigration policies, Homeland Security is planning to repurpose two U.S. military bases for temporary housing of undocumented immigrants. The initiative involves the use of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Camp Atterbury in Indiana. The Defense Department revealed that the decision was made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with the aim of addressing the growing demand for immigration detention facilities across the country.
This move has sparked significant controversy among Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the use of military resources for immigration detention is both inappropriate and detrimental to national defense. A coalition of New Jersey Democrats, including prominent figures like Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim, has strongly condemned the decision, claiming that it risks undermining military readiness and diverting critical infrastructure from its intended purpose. They argue that using military bases for immigration enforcement represents a dangerous escalation in the militarization of border control measures.
Among the lawmakers, Rep. Rob Menendez and Rep. Frank Pallone have publicly called for an immediate halt to the proposal, asserting that the use of U.S. military facilities for immigration operations is a clear overreach of executive authority. The debate has intensified following the recent signing of the Big Beautiful Bill into law by President Trump, which allocated significant funding for immigration enforcement and detention facilities. The lawmakers fear that the plan to repurpose military bases represents a further expansion of this trend, which they argue is leading to a dangerous shift in national priorities.
The decision has also raised concerns about the potential impact on local communities, with fears that the increased use of military facilities for detention could lead to a rise in ICE raids and heightened tensions in areas already struggling with immigrant populations. The situation has become a focal point in the broader political discourse on immigration policy, highlighting the deepening divide between the administration’s approach and the opposition’s stance on the issue. As the plan moves forward, it will likely remain at the center of ongoing debates about the role of the military in national security and domestic affairs.