Pentagon approves migrant detention site at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, drawing opposition from Democrats
JACKSON, N.J. — The Department of Defense has approved the temporary use of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey as a detention facility for migrants with criminal records, prompting strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill and the entire Democrat congregation in Congress.
In a letter dated Monday, the Pentagon informed members of Congress, including Rep. Herb Conway, that the Department of Homeland Security would begin operations at the base to detain individuals illegally in the country who have criminal backgrounds. Officials said the facility’s use for immigration enforcement “will not interfere with military training, readiness, or operations.”
The joint base previously served as a temporary housing site for Afghan evacuees in 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On Thursday, Rep. Sherrill issued a statement condemning the move, calling it “a blatant misuse of one of New Jersey’s most critical military assets.”
“This is a blatant misuse of one of New Jersey’s most critical military assets and reduces a vital national security installation to a stage for political theater,” Sherrill said in the press release. She added that the plan “risks degrading operational capacity, places an inappropriate burden on our servicemembers, and harms civil-military relations.”
The facility, located in Burlington and Ocean counties, is one of several military installations being evaluated for expanded DHS enforcement under the Trump administration’s immigration strategy. Sherrill said the administration should pursue additional resources through Congress rather than “rely on the military to fill the gap.”
The decision marks the latest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the use of military infrastructure to support civilian detention operations.
Military leaders have said the site’s role will remain limited and temporary.