A Western New York air base is being floated as a potential place to help support the recent expansion of ICE operations.
Rep. Nick Langworthy (R - NY23) and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R - NY21) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to potentially use the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
They say this is because there is only one ICE-Operated Service Processing Center currently in the Northeast U.S., located in Batavia.
"This facility, though critical, cannot solely handle the growing demand for detention and deportation processing. With an estimated 759,218 illegal immigrants residing in New York City alone, including 58,000 individuals who are either convicted felons or facing criminal charges, the need for additional detention capacity is clear. Local facilities are overwhelmed, and it is imperative that we have the resources necessary to address this serious public safety concern."
The letter goes on to say the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station could be used to hold detainees and a place to send them out on deportation flights.
"The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station’s role in supporting our national defense can be enhanced by partnering with ICE in this effort to ensure the swift and secure removal of high-priority illegal immigrants from the United States. Utilizing this federal resource would help ease the burden on local law enforcement and detention centers while advancing President Trump’s agenda of maintaining public safety through efficient and effective deportations.”
The letter says the base's location and existing infrastructure make it an ideal site to support the need for increased capacity in ICE's deportation operations.
The full letter can be read here.
