Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) spoke to a senior advisor to the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while deployed overseas. During the virtual meeting, Assemblyman Maher asked to be briefed on the ongoing rumors of a potential ICE detention facility being built in his Assembly district.

During the conversation, ICE officials explained that an outside vendor had identified multiple properties nationwide as part of a broader review of strategically located facilities. The Chester property was among dozens of sites evaluated.

Assemblyman Maher made clear his concerns regarding the proposed location, citing its proximity to a population center and the area’s infrastructure limitations. He also conveyed the unified bipartisan opposition from local elected officials and community members who had raised serious concerns about the site.

“Assemblyman Maher believes in taking action and getting the facts to the people he represents,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff to Assemblyman Maher. “As a former village mayor and town supervisor, the Assemblyman respectfully made it clear to senior ICE officials that choosing a location this close to a population center, with limited infrastructure capacity, was not something he supported. Assemblyman Maher stressed the unified bipartisan voice of local elected officials who were also against putting an ICE facility in this location.”

Following the meeting, Assemblyman Maher received confirmation from ICE that its review process had concluded and that the agency would not be moving forward with the Chester site at this time.

Hurlburt continued, “Assemblyman Brian Maher’s relentless pursuit in identifying a senior official from ICE helped put an end to this episode.”

“Orange County and the entire Hudson valley have been united on the issue from the beginning,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. “I commend Assemblyman Maher, my team at the county, our bipartisan group of elected officials and all of the residents who made sure their voices were heard. We will continue to fight to make sure an ICE facility does not come to Orange County.”

“We tried every way we could to get someone from ICE on the phone,” said Village of Chester Mayor Tom Bell. “We are appreciative of Assemblyman Maher’s efforts to reach out while he is currently deployed and advocate on behalf of our bipartisan group to ensure this location was ultimately not considered. The greater Chester community appreciates his leadership on this issue and we hope he stays safe as he serves our country overseas.”

Assemblyman Maher remains committed to transparency and to ensuring that any federal action affecting local communities is met with clear communication and strong advocacy on behalf of Hudson Valley residents. He will continue to monitor developments as federal facility needs evolve and will stand ready to represent the interests of the Village of Chester and all municipalities in his district.