Roxbury, NJ – A social media fight between Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Rep. LaMonica McIver escalated Saturday after Kean defended his engagement with federal officials over a proposed federal action affecting Roxbury, prompting a sharp rebuke from McIver on social media.
In a post shared at 9:26 a.m., Kean said his office worked closely with Roxbury officials and engaged with senior Department of Homeland Security leaders regarding the situation. He acknowledged frustration among residents and said he would continue pursuing what he described as a workable solution.
“The residents of Roxbury can be assured that I will not stop fighting for a workable solution,” Kean wrote. He added that the “overwhelming majority of residents, along with the state and the country, support getting criminal illegal migrants off our streets and stopping the flow of Fentanyl.”
The comments appear tied to debate surrounding a proposed federal immigration-related facility in Roxbury, which has drawn opposition from some local officials and residents.
McIver responds with criticism
Rep. LaMonica McIver responded roughly 13 hours later, criticizing Kean’s position and accusing him of failing to represent local opposition to the project.
“The residents and the local leadership do not want this facility in their community,” McIver wrote, disputing Kean’s characterization of local support. She accused him of aligning too closely with former President Donald Trump and not taking a stand against the proposal.
The exchange quickly drew attention online, generating more than 17,000 views on Kean’s post within hours and prompting further debate among constituents and political observers.
- Kean says he engaged DHS and local officials on Roxbury issue
- McIver disputes level of local support for proposed facility
- Social media exchange highlights divide over immigration policy
The disagreement highlights the broader tensions in New Jersey over federal immigration enforcement and the placement of facilities tied to detention or processing operations. Local leaders in several communities have previously raised concerns about transparency, public safety, and community impact when such proposals emerge.
Immigration policy fuels local debate
Kean’s post pointed to efforts to remove individuals described as criminal illegal migrants and to curb the flow of fentanyl, framing the issue as part of a national public safety strategy. McIver’s response focused on local opposition and community consent.
Neither lawmaker referenced a specific timeline for a final decision regarding the Roxbury site, and federal officials have not publicly detailed next steps.
The dispute reflects ongoing political divisions over immigration enforcement, proposed federal detention facility locations, and the broader debate over fentanyl trafficking.
