CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE LEGISLATES AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLAN FOR ICE DETENTION CELLS IN ROCHESTER

(Washington, D.C.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle continued the fight against the Trump administration’s decision to put immigration detention holding cells inside the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester by introducing the Respect Our Communities (ROC) Act.

“When the Trump administration pushed this project into downtown Rochester without listening to the community, they made it clear they don’t believe local voices matter,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “The ROC Act is about restoring transparency, accountability, and respect for the communities forced to live with these decisions. Rochester deserved a voice in this process, and every community across America deserves the same.”

“The Trump administration has denied Rochester any voice on what is being built in its own downtown. The community doesn’t want this, and it is unacceptable to put a Border Patrol detention facility in the same building as a federal courthouse and a daycare,” said Senator Schumer. “No more secrecy, no more decisions behind closed doors. I’m proud to support Congressman Morelle’s bill to hold the Trump administration accountable and stop ICE and CBP from ignoring local leaders and let the community make their voices heard.”

"New Yorkers are rightfully concerned as the Department of Homeland Security moves to open detention facilities in our backyards with little transparency or regard for the communities they are being forced into," said Senator Gillibrand. "I applaud Representative Morelle’s leadership on the Respect Our Communities Act, commonsense legislation that would require DHS to solicit public comments and secure written approval from state and local officials before constructing any new immigration detention facilities. This is critical legislation to make sure New Yorkers and Americans have a say in what the federal government is planning in our own communities.”  

This new legislation, authored by Morelle, is aimed at preventing the federal government from constructing or operating new ICE or Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) detention facilities without public transparency, community input, and approval from state and local leaders.

The ROC Act would compel the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies to provide public notice, open a public comment period, complete environmental and economic impact reviews, secure approval from state and local elected officials, and notify Congress before moving forward with any new immigration detention facility.

Since the plan was announced in February, Morelle has blasted DHS, ICE, and CBP for refusing to allow for public input on the proposed facility. Federal officials confirmed the project will include detention holding areas, security fencing, hardened infrastructure, and restricted-access zones in and around the building.

The full text of the ROC Act can be found here.

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