Hunterdon County officials have disclosed that the New Jersey state government is evaluating the use of the defunct Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital as a processing center for migrants. The facility, which ceased operations in 2012, is situated on a 325-acre tract in Hunterdon County, spanning parts of Glen Gardner Borough and Lebanon Township.
Jeff Kuhl, Director of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, mentioned the plan but did not elaborate on specifics. This development follows recent incidents where migrants, transported by bus to New York City as part of Texas Governor’s campaign to address the border crisis, ended up at NJ Transit stations in Edison, Fanwood, Secaucus, and Trenton. They were initially intended to travel to New York City by train. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy noted that some migrants were met by relatives and stayed in New Jersey instead.
This strategy was reportedly in response to an executive order by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, which regulated the timing and notification of buses entering Manhattan. New Jersey adopted a similar policy.
Congressman Tom Kean strongly criticized the proposed use of the Hagedorn facility for migrant processing. He expressed concerns about community security and resource allocation, linking the situation to what he described as ineffective border security policies under President Biden’s administration. Kean emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of migration and ensuring the safety and welfare of local communities.
The Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, now part of the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust, was closed during the administration of Governor Chris Christie. New Jersey was later designated a “sanctuary state” under Governor Murphy’s administration.