Residents press Sussex County commissioners to oppose proposed detention centers and federal enforcement practices

An extended public-comment period at the Sussex County commissioners meeting on Jan. 28 featured multiple residents asking local officials to oppose federal immigration enforcement actions and to explore ways to prevent large detention facilities near the county.

Ken Collins of Andover Township told the board that federal agents have used lethal force in recent incidents and urged county officials to "issue some sort of resolution or whatever it is you do and take a stand against this aggression by the federal government." He called for arrests and prosecutions of federal agents he said were responsible for deaths he described in his remarks.

Other speakers pressed related local concerns. Kimberly Knowles of Sparta asked the board to explore options to prevent proposed detention centers, citing a 700,000-square-foot warehouse at 1879 U.S. 46 in Roxbury that she said could house 5,888 people, and noting that Roxbury had already passed an ordinance opposing conversion of the site for detention use. "I ask that you explore options to prevent detention centers in Northern New York," Knowles said, and urged the county to use whatever influence it has to protect the community.

Several speakers framed their remarks in broader terms about democratic norms and civil rights. Pamela Gray of Stillwater asked commissioners to reflect on prior remarks from the dais and urged leadership "that brings people together," warning that government promotion of religion risks alienating constituents. Other commenters called for the county to correct alleged misinformation about local protests and to defend residents’ rights to assemble on the Newton Green.

Not all remarks were aligned. Some speakers criticized protesters and national political rhetoric and asked the board to defend law enforcement; others warned that county actions (for example, selling or repurposing the county jail) could enable a facility to be used by federal agencies. Several commenters urged the board to study alternatives and to commission feasibility or conversion studies for the jail rather than move hastily.

The commissioners did not interpose formal policy actions during public comment. The board opened the general public-comment period, heard the sequence of speakers, and then returned to regular business and later entered executive session. The meeting record shows several petitions for the board to consider formal statements and local ordinances, but no county resolution on federal immigration enforcement was adopted at that session.