ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York lawmakers and officials have issued a statement in response to a reported plan to put a Border Patrol Detention Center at the Rochester Federal Building.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Joe Morelle, Mayor Malik Evans, Monroe County Republicans, a Rochester neighbor, and more have issued statements regarding the plan.
Sen. Schumer’s statement
“It is outrageous and absurd for Border Patrol to secretly try to build a detention center in the heart of downtown Rochester. The Keating Federal Building is home to a daycare, the federal courthouse, and vital services Rochester families use every day. It is the wrong place for that kind of operation. We need immediate answers on what exactly DHS and Border Patrol are planning, and an opportunity for public review and input. The Federal Western District of New York Court opposes this plan, and for good reason. The public deserves transparency and the ability to make their voices heard. This shows you exactly why DHS must be reined in.”
Rep. Morelle’s statement
“We are unequivocally opposed to ICE installing detention cells in downtown Rochester, steps from a daycare and surrounded by homes and businesses.
The Trump administration is moving forward in secret, with no notice, no public process, and no transparency. This is completely inappropriate and flat-out unacceptable. This President has a pattern of creating and escalating combustible situations and then forcing communities to deal with the fallout.
Rochester will not be treated as a staging ground for this administration’s reckless political agenda.”
More comments from Morelle
“The president has a pattern of creating and escalating combustible situations, and then forcing communities to deal with the fallout. That’s what this is.“
“Just adds to the number of people there. And this is not an agency that is without controversy. So, you know, there’s going to be protesters out in front. You have children in the building…maybe had I heard the information, I’d be able to suggest, here’s an alternative. Or maybe I’ll have a better understanding. But just doing this without any conversation or any communication just makes everybody assume the worst.”
Mayor Evans
“I strongly oppose any effort to create a detention center at the Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester. Prior assessments of the building, along with its current function as a federal courthouse with a daycare, make it a horrible location for this use. For border patrol to attempt this clandestine repurposing of this location without local input is inexcusable.”
Monroe County Democratic Majority Caucus
“We are deeply concerned to learn the news of Border Patrol’s intention to build an immigrant detention facility at the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building, where vital services are utilized by our neighbors and community members daily. Our community was not consulted prior to this proposal and decisions of this extent should never be made behind closed doors. This proposal is a dangerous overreach from the Federal government and we must ensure our community members can feel safe when interacting with the judicial system.
We join our partners in government in calling on the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs
and Border Patrol, and the General Services Administration to immediately stop any plans to
implement a detention center in Rochester.”
Monroe County Republican Committee
“Reports that a federal immigration processing and temporary detention space may be utilized within a federal building in Rochester should not be treated as controversial. Federal authorities routinely use federal facilities to carry out federal responsibilities, including immigration enforcement. A federal building is a reasonable and appropriate place for federal processing.
No matter one’s views on immigration policy, there should be agreement that keeping these operations local is not only practical; it is more humane. Processing individuals in Rochester avoids transporting them long distances to remote facilities, keeps them closer to their families, and allows better access to legal counsel. Local processing also supports faster case review and more efficient coordination with the courts.
What is striking is the selective outrage now coming from some local Democrats. Many of these same voices argue that individuals subject to immigration enforcement pose no threat, yet they now claim that lawful federal processing inside a secure federal facility creates danger to nearby services. Those positions cannot both be true.
Federal law does not enforce itself. Regardless of political views on immigration policy, federal statutes must be carried out. Doing so locally, in an existing federal building, promotes transparency, supports due process, and avoids unnecessary transfers to distant locations.
Using a federal facility for lawful federal responsibilities is not extreme; it is common sense.“
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello
“I am strongly opposed to the plan for ICE to put a detention center in the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester. This proposal would turn a civic building – in the heart of our community – into a site of detention, fear, and division. It is absolutely wrong and will undermine public trust and the safety of our community. I will continue to stand with local leaders and Monroe County residents to reject this proposal and call on the Trump administration to reverse this decision.”
Jillian Gruber, a neighbor from Rochester
“I feel unsafe. And I feel like based on what we saw in Minnesota, in Minneapolis. I’m scared to protest. I’ve never had that happen in my life. And I’ve protested many times. I’m scared to protest.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as News10NBC learns more. Check back later for updates.
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