Niagara Leader

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and Congressman Nick Langworthy have formally requested that the Department of Defense consider utilizing the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. In a letter addressed to newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, they proposed using NFARS for additional bed space for detainees and as a departure point for deportation flights.

The letter highlights the current situation in the Northeast U.S., which has only one ICE-operated Service Processing Center located in Batavia, NY. This facility is deemed critical but insufficient to handle the increasing demand for detention and deportation processing. The letter states, “With an estimated 759,218 illegal immigrants residing in New York City alone, including 58,000 individuals who are either convicted felons or facing criminal charges, the need for additional detention capacity is clear."

They argue that local facilities are overwhelmed and emphasize the importance of having necessary resources to address public safety concerns. They propose that NFARS could enhance its role in national defense by partnering with ICE to ensure efficient removal of high-priority illegal immigrants from the United States.

Congresswoman Tenney expressed gratitude towards ICE agents and stressed the importance of providing them with adequate resources. She stated, "Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station can play a valuable role in hosting detention beds and serving as a point of departure for deportations." She urged Secretary Hegseth to authorize NFARS's involvement in supporting ICE operations.

Congressman Langworthy shared his experience after meeting with Buffalo ICE officials. He noted that their operations have intensified under President Trump's executive actions on deportations. He learned that the Batavia center is nearing capacity due to the large number of accused and convicted illegal immigrants in New York. He supports opening NFARS to aid these efforts.

Langworthy remarked on President Trump's leadership, saying it ensures federal government collaboration aimed at enhancing national safety.