ICE proposed converting a former Pep Boys distribution warehouse into a 1,500-bed facility in the Village of Chester, Orange County, approximately 60 miles north of NYC. Massive community opposition forced ICE to back away — but the “at this time” language suggests it may not be permanently dead.

Timeline

• January 2026: DHS proposed purchasing 29 Elizabeth Drive warehouse (36 acres) for ICE operations
• January 12, 2026: 400+ residents pack Chester public meeting to oppose the sale
• January 14, 2026: THE CITY reports on facility plans for up to 1,500 detainees
• January 30, 2026: Rep. Pat Ryan and others rally in Chester; 10,000+ petition signatures; 50+ elected officials sign bipartisan letter to DHS
• Late January 2026: Sen. Michelle Hinchey takes public stand against the facility
• February 2026: NYIC calls on Albany to pass NY4All Act in response
• ~February 20, 2026: ICE backs away — says “would not be moving forward with the Chester site at this time”
• February 2026: ICE initially confirmed, then denied, purchasing the warehouse — contradictory statements from agency

Infrastructure Problems

• Warehouse sits in a flood plain on wetlands
• Chester lacks sewage capacity for 1,500+ people
• Part of broader Detention Reengineering Initiative (16 processing centers, 8 detention centers by Nov 2026)

Other Orange County Sites

ICE’s reversal on Chester “did not address the broader Detention Reengineering Initiative or the status of other potential federal sites in New Windsor and Woodbury” — both also in Orange County.

Sources

• Gothamist: Outcry in Hudson Valley
• THE CITY: ICE opening huge lockup (Jan 2026)
• Rockland County BJ: 400+ at public meeting (Jan 2026)
• Rockland County BJ: ICE backs away (Feb 2026)
• Rep. Pat Ryan press release
• Spectrum: Rally in opposition (Jan 2026)
• CT Mirror: ICE opening huge lockup
• NBC New York: ICE plans Chester warehouse