Protests Erupt Over Plan to Use Niagara Falls Air Base for ICE Deportations

Key Takeaways

• Representatives Langworthy and Tenney proposed converting NFARS into an ICE deportation center to increase detention and deportation capacity in the Northeast.
• The proposal addresses an overcrowding issue at Batavia’s ICE facility, citing 759,218 undocumented immigrants in NYC, including 58,000 with criminal records.
• Protests occurred on February 23–24, 2025, highlighting community concerns about social, economic, and military impacts of the proposal.

Protests have grown after a plan was introduced by two Western New York congress members to turn the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base (🇺🇸) (NFARS) into a deportation center for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On February 3, 2025, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) contacted the Department of Defense with a formal request to allow the base to support ICE operations. Their proposal aims to address what they describe as a pressing need for added detention and processing space in the region.

Currently, the Northeast United States has just one ICE-operated Service Processing Center located in Batavia, New York (🇺🇸). Reports indicate that the Batavia facility is nearing its capacity. Congress members Langworthy and Tenney cited the growing number of illegal immigrants in New York City (🇺🇸), estimated at 759,218, including around 58,000 individuals who are either convicted felons or facing criminal charges. They argue that more detention capacity is urgently needed.

Protests Erupt Over Plan to Use Niagara Falls Air Base for ICE Deportations

Protests Highlight Local Concerns

Community opposition to this proposal became visible on February 24, 2025, when two groups organized a protest caravan aimed at stopping NFARS from being converted into an ICE deportation center. Protesters voiced concerns about the social and economic effects on the region and raised broader questions about the federal government’s handling of immigration enforcement.

A day earlier, on February 23, 2025, another protest involved picketers gathering directly at NFARS. These protests reflect rising community tension over the plan and underline the mixed opinions among local residents.

Town of Niagara Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso clarified that the local government has little control over this matter, stating, “The Town of Niagara has no jurisdiction over the NFARS, other than it is located in the Town of Niagara.” Her statement highlights the federal government’s authority in deciding the future of the base.

Details of the Proposal

Under the plan put forth by Representatives Langworthy and Tenney, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base would be used to:

Provide more bed space to detain undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of crimes.
Act as a launch point for flights deporting individuals from the country.

Congressman Langworthy has strongly defended the proposal, referencing a briefing he had with ICE officials in Buffalo (🇺🇸), where the need for more detention space was outlined. “In that meeting, I learned that the ICE Processing Center in Batavia is nearly at capacity, and with the massive illegal population accused and convicted of crimes in New York, opening the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to support their efforts will help ensure they can continue to swiftly execute the President’s orders,” Langworthy said.

Congresswoman Tenney echoed these views, stating that converting NFARS to support ICE operations aligns with President Trump’s executive orders aimed at speeding up the detention and removal of undocumented immigrants, especially those viewed as security risks. She emphasized the dual role NFARS could play, offering both detention capacity and deportation capabilities.

The plan reflects expanded immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration, which has pledged to carry out what is described as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Turning NFARS into an ICE facility would signify a significant boost to deportation infrastructure in the Northeast and align with federal priorities for deporting undocumented individuals.

Perspectives from the Local Community

Residents in the area have expressed mixed views regarding the proposal. Some, like Matthew Keener, favor stricter federal immigration measures but have questions about the facility’s security and its effects on the area. Keener remarked, “I don’t really want it in the area, but we do need to get illegals out of our country. If they come over illegally, I am all for it. Are they actually keeping them in or not? How secure are they going to make these?”

Others, like Gerald Skrlin, shared more nuanced opinions. “I’m sure there’s a way to handle the immigrants, to process them correctly. Perhaps if they were able to wait some time and spread it out,” Skrlin noted, adding that his views change when discussing those involved in criminal activities. “It changes my mind when they have committed crimes and when they are criminals,” he said.

Opponents worry about the facility’s impact on their community’s social fabric and local economy. Many point out that detention facilities can change community dynamics, and deportation operations often inflame tensions around immigration policy. Questions also persist about whether converting the military facility would affect current military functions at NFARS.

Implications of the Proposal

If the proposal to convert NFARS into an ICE deportation center is approved, several important implications would follow:

Detention Capacity: Transforming NFARS would add significant detention space in the Northeast, reducing pressure on Batavia’s facility.
Faster Deportations: By serving as a hub for deportation flights, NFARS could speed up the process of removing individuals from the country.
Community Impact: The facility might bring economic changes, but it could also negatively affect public sentiment and create controversy within the local population.
Military Operations: Converting the air base would likely require reallocating resources and could alter its current military functions.
Legal Challenges: The project could face legal hurdles, including questions about detainees’ rights and due process during deportation.

Awaiting Next Steps

As of now, the Department of Defense has not issued a formal response to the request from Representatives Langworthy and Tenney. A Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base spokesperson commented that “unfortunately neither the 107 nor the 914 have any additional information or any additional comments at this time.” This statement leaves the proposal’s future uncertain.

Protesters and community members are also awaiting further details about the potential conversion, such as specifics regarding how many people NFARS could house and whether military operations would be disrupted. The lack of clarity on these issues only fuels the ongoing debate.

Connecting the Local to National Context

The debate surrounding NFARS mirrors broader trends in federal immigration policy. The Trump administration has increased funding for ICE and prioritized mass deportation, creating friction between national immigration enforcement priorities and local communities. The use of military bases like NFARS for non-military functions adds another layer of complexity.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that federal decisions to expand ICE’s reach sometimes lead to clashes with local governments and residents, underscoring differing opinions on how immigration should be managed. Local opposition to NFARS becoming a deportation hub highlights these tensions.

Key Issues Moving Forward

As this debate unfolds, several questions are at the center of the community’s concerns:

How will the Department of Defense respond to the lawmakers’ request?
Will this proposal face legal opposition, particularly regarding detainee rights?
What economic or community-related costs would follow if the proposal is implemented?
How will the protests evolve, and will they affect the decision-making process?

For those wanting more details about ICE operations, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website provides official and up-to-date information: ICE.gov.

Conclusion

The proposal to turn Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base into an ICE deportation center has sparked strong reactions on both sides. For supporters, it offers an opportunity to enforce immigration laws more efficiently. For opponents, it raises concerns about community impact and government priorities. With no clear decision yet from the Department of Defense, the future of NFARS remains unresolved. What is certain is that this debate at a local level reflects larger national discussions about balancing border security and immigration enforcement with the rights and well-being of communities across the nation.

Learn Today

Deportation Center → A facility used to detain individuals prior to their removal from a country, often due to immigration violations.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and handling deportation and detention operations.
Service Processing Center → A detention facility operated by ICE to process, detain, and manage undocumented immigrants awaiting legal or deportation outcomes.
Jurisdiction → The legal power or authority a government or organization has over a particular area or subject.
Executive Orders → Directives issued by the U.S. President with the force of law, used to manage federal operations and policies.

This Article in a Nutshell

Protests erupt over converting Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base into an ICE deportation center, proposed by Congress members citing overcrowding in existing facilities. Critics worry about disrupting community dynamics and federal overreach, while supporters highlight security needs. The fate of NFARS now hinges on federal decisions, reflecting America’s broader immigration policy debate.
— By VisaVerge.com