AFTER CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN’S PETITION TO STOP PROPOSED ICE FACILITY RECEIVES MORE THAN 20,000 SIGNATURES, RYAN RALLIES HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY IN CHESTER: “WE WILL WIN THIS FIGHT”

Especially after ICE murdered another American citizen - a VA nurse - in Minnesota, and as ICE agents are given the green light to unconstitutionally and illegally come into people's homes, Ryan is rallying the entire Hudson Valley community to make their voices heard

After Congressman Pat Ryan's Petition to Stop Proposed ICE Facility Receives More than 20,000 Signatures, Ryan Rallies Hudson Valley Community in Chester: "We Will Win This Fight"

Today, Congressman Pat Ryan joined hundreds of community members in Orange County to rally against the Trump Administration's proposal for an ICE facility in Chester; facility would be part of a larger ICE plan to house 80,000 immigrants in warehouses across the country

Congressman Pat Ryan immediately sounded the alarm, releasing this petition in opposition to the proposed facility; Ryan's petition - which can still be accessed here - amassed more than 1,000 signatures its first day, and has gotten more than 20,000 signatures to date with support continuing to grow

Ryan has sponsored articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Noem, submitted evidence of widespread community backlash to DHS last week, and voted against funding DHS's continued ICE operations citing un-American, illegal actions in cities across the country

Especially after ICE murdered another American citizen - a VA nurse - in Minnesota, and as ICE agents are given the green light to unconstitutionally and illegally come into people's homes, Ryan is rallying the entire Hudson Valley community to make their voices heard

CHESTER, NY - Today, Congressman Pat Ryan was joined by hundreds of local leaders, advocates, and Hudson Valley community members to rally against the Trump Administration's proposal to open an ICE detention center in Orange County.

The proposed facility would use a vacant warehouse in Chester, NY as part of a larger Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plan to house 80,000 migrants in warehouses nationwide.

Ryan and local leaders, receiving no warning or information from the Administration, immediately sounded the alarm. Ryan released a petition to the entire Hudson Valley community opposing the proposal, which amassed more than 1,000 signatures on Day 1 and 20,000 signatures to date as support continues to grow.

Last week Ryan submitted initial evidence of widespread community backlash to the proposal, sending anonymized survey results to DHS. ICE responded, refusing to provide any answers or additional information citing the "heightened threat environment" and "unprecedented opposition being thrown up by the Left."

Ryan has also sponsored articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and voted against funding DHS's continued ICE operations, citing un-American, illegal actions in cities across the country. Now, especially after ICE murdered another American citizen - a VA nurse - in Minnesota, and as ICE agents have been given the green light to illegally enter people's homes, Ryan is rallying the entire Hudson Valley community to continue making their voices heard.

"In just two weeks, tens of thousands of members of our community have made their voices heard, loud and clear: the Hudson Valley strongly rejects the Trump Administration's plans for a mass detention camp in our own backyard. It's shameful, un-American, and the exact opposite of everything our community stands for," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "The President promised to focus on deporting violent criminals, but instead we're seeing innocent civilians harassed, detained, and even killed. Now they're claiming they can enter Americans' homes without warrants - a blatant violation of the Constitution. The power to keep ICE from moving in, terrorizing our neighbors, and making us all less safe is in our hands. So let's show ICE, DHS, and Kristi Noem exactly what the Hudson Valley is made of as we stand together on the side of justice, accountability, and humanity. Together, we will win this fight."

"Now more than ever we need to exercise our 1st Amendment right to speak out and protest any ICE presence from coming to Chester and the Hudson Valley at large," said Town of Chester Supervisor Brandon Holdridge. "The state, country, and world needs to know we do not support this facility, we do not support their abuses of power, and we do not support their acts of violence."

"The proposal to turn a warehouse in the Village of Chester into an ICE detention center is illegal, immoral, and inhumane. People must not be warehoused," said Richard Witt, Executive Director of Rural & Migrant Ministry. "RMM stands firmly with our immigrant neighbors, and we celebrate their humanity and the profound contributions they make to our community, our state and our country. We urge our lawmakers not only to condemn this proposal, but to take ACTION against the shameful policies of ICE and this Administration."

"An ICE facility in Chester-or anywhere in Orange County-is not something I can support," said Laurie Tautel, Orange County Legislature Chairwoman. "Our residents deserve to live without fear, and our local governments should be focused on policies that build trust, protect families, and support the well-being of our communities. This proposal moves us in the opposite direction."

"As a first-generation daughter of immigrants and representative of a largely immigrant community, I want to be clear: opposing an ICE detention facility is necessary, but it is not enough," said County Legislator and Democratic Caucus Leader Genesis Ramos. "Immigrant families are living in fear, hurting our neighbors, our local economy, and family-run businesses. We must stand against this proposal and show up for our immigrant community. I urge residents across our region to take action now, sign the petition, join the rally, and help stop this harmful proposal. Our community's dignity and safety depend on it."

"ICE has crossed a line. What's happening in Minnesota has not just claimed innocent lives, it has divided families, endangered residents, and put all our communities at risk. The Federal government's proposed ICE facility in Chester is an 80,000 square/foot affront to our values as Americans," said Yvette Valdes-Smith, Dutchess County Legislature Chairwoman."In the Hudson Valley, we believe in treating our neighbors with dignity and respect. Everyone, regardless of their immigration status, deserves due process under the law. As elected officials and residents, we oppose this facility and the rising tide of violence against law-abiding immigrants and innocent bystanders. Not in our name."

"The Ulster Immigrant Defense Network ("UIDN") opposes building an immigration detention facility in Chester, NY.," said Victor Cueva, UIDN Executive Director. "Detention centers are places where there have been reported inhumane conditions for immigrants, and many reported deaths. We do not support the continued dehumanization of community members through ICE enforcement actions and detention."

Community members are encouraged to sign this petitionin opposition to the proposed facility.

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