Scoop: Essex County, NJ, is cancelling its long-standing and controversial contract to detain immigrants for ICE. It will move detainees out of its jail in Newark by August, ending what had become a political vulnerability for the all-Dem county board of commissioners. Story tk.
.@SenatorMenendez had called these contracts -- which are still active in Bergen and Hudson counties -- "blood money." But Essex is not pulling out due to moral concerns. It says it is making up for the tens of millions in ICE revenue by housing prisoners from nearby Union County 
Allegations of physical/sexual assault by officers, inedible food & poor medical care turned the jail into a a target for immigration activists. County Executive Joe DiVincenzo was a particular focus of protesters. He staunchly defended conditions, and continued to do so today:
My story @Gothamist: gothamist.com/news/new-jerse…
And I'll be on All Things Considered @WNYC with @SeanECarl talking through this later today.
And I'll be on All Things Considered @WNYC with @SeanECarl talking through this later today.
@Gothamist @WNYC @SeanECarl An ICE spokesman today said it is reviewing its options -- "locally and nationally" -- for relocating the Essex detainees.
There appears to be an inference (threat?) that these detainees, who are mostly from New Jersey, could be shipped elsewhere around the country.
There appears to be an inference (threat?) that these detainees, who are mostly from New Jersey, could be shipped elsewhere around the country.
The only elected Essex official to publicly call for the end of the ICE contract, @BrendanWGill, is "thrilled" with the news that detainees will no longer be housed at the county jail.
Some anti-ICE activists are NOT happy with this announcement because it continues to use incarceration as a means of revenue -->
https://twitter.com/abolishICE_nynj/status/1387495930597883906?s=20
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