Filed Date: March 20, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
The State of New Jersey and the Township of Roxbury filed a complaint against federal immigration authorities on March 20, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The plaintiffs challenged the defendants' decision to establish a large-scale immigration detention facility in an industrial warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey, that would house up to 1,500 detainees at a time. The plaintiffs alleged that the warehouse was unsuitable for human habitation, with only four toilets for the planned capacity, and would overwhelm local infrastructure and emergency services while causing significant environmental harm to waterways that provide drinking water to over 70% of New Jerseyans. The complaint brought four counts alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act based on the defendants' failures to comply with federal environmental, intergovernmental cooperation, and immigration laws. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the establishment of the detention facility and vacate the defendants' decision.
The case was assigned to Judge Jamel K. Semper and Magistrate Judge James B. Clark.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jinan Abufarha (3/22/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72520349/parties/state-of-new-jersey-v-united-states-immigration-and-customs-enforcement/
DURAISWAMY, SHANKAR (New Jersey)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72520349/state-of-new-jersey-v-united-states-immigration-and-customs-enforcement/
Last updated April 13, 2026, 3:10 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 20, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
State of New Jersey and Township of Roxbury
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Department of Homeland Security
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Secretary of Homeland Security
Other
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of ICE
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.
National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f
Other Dockets:
District of New Jersey 2:26-cv-02884
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Immigration/Border:
Case Summary of State of New Jersey v. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47951/ (last updated 3/22/2026).