The Trump Administration announced in July 2025 that it will use Fort Dix, part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, as a temporary detention site for immigrants. The plan starts with 1,000 detainees and could expand to 3,000, reflecting a nationwide push to increase detention capacity as deportation efforts grow.
Key Details and Immediate Impact
Fort Dix will join other military bases—such as Camp Atterbury in Indiana, Fort Bliss in Texas, and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba—in holding thousands of non-citizens. The Department of Defense approved the use of these bases, but military staff will not handle detainee care or security. Instead, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and private contractors will manage daily operations. Additionally, 2,000 National Guard troops are being sent to ICE detention centers across the country, including these military bases.
This move is temporary, with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approval lasting at least through September 2025. However, the exact dates for when detainees will arrive and how the sites will operate have not been made public.
Political and Community Response
The plan has sparked strong opposition from New Jersey officials. Governor Phil Murphy and congressional Democrats—including Rep. Herb Conaway, Senator Cory Booker, and Senator Andy Kim—criticize the use of Fort Dix for immigration detention. They call it a misuse of military resources and say it continues harsh immigration policies that can lead to poor treatment of detainees. Rep. Conaway described the base as the “Garden State Gulag,” highlighting worries about conditions and the militarization of immigration enforcement. Lawmakers also complain about being left out of the decision-making process and demand more transparency and congressional oversight.
Civil Rights Concerns
Sarah Mehta, deputy director at the ACLU, called the Trump Administration’s plan “disgraceful” and “reckless.” She compared it to the Japanese internment camps of the past and warned that holding immigrants on military bases will make it harder for them to see lawyers or family members. The ACLU urges Congress to stop the use of military bases for immigration detention, saying it will worsen already poor conditions in ICE centers.
Background and Broader Context
This expansion follows a $170 billion budget bill aimed at increasing deportations and detention space. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst previously housed Afghan refugees in 2021, but using it for immigrant detention is new and controversial. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this marks a major shift in how the United States 🇺🇸 handles immigration enforcement.
Practical Implications for Detainees
Detaining immigrants on military bases like Fort Dix will likely make it harder for them to get legal help or see family, since these sites are remote and secure. The large number of detainees raises concerns about overcrowding, fair treatment, and access to medical care.
Next Steps and Resources
The Department of Defense and DHS have not shared detailed plans beyond September 2025. Ongoing opposition from lawmakers and the public could affect whether these detention sites continue or expand. For official updates and more information, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website.
Affected families and advocates are encouraged to contact their congressional representatives and follow updates from the ACLU and other advocacy groups.
Learn Today
Fort Dix → A military base in New Jersey designated as a temporary detention site for immigrants.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing detention facilities.
National Guard → Military reserve force deployed to support ICE detention centers during immigrant detainment operations.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → Federal department overseeing immigration enforcement and approving detention site use.
Detention Capacity → The number of immigrant detainees a facility can hold securely at one time.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Trump Administration plans to use Fort Dix as a temporary immigrant detention site, expanding capacity nationwide amid deportation efforts, prompting political and civil rights backlash over detainee conditions and management transparency.
— By VisaVerge.com
