Fact-Check Article: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Indiana’s Camp Atterbury and New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will be used to house illegal immigrants before their deportation"
What We Know
On July 18, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that military bases in Indiana and New Jersey are set to be utilized for the detention of immigrants who entered the country illegally. Specifically, he mentioned that Camp Atterbury in Indiana and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey would be used for this purpose. Hegseth assured lawmakers that this initiative would not negatively impact military readiness or operations (NPR).
The decision follows a broader strategy by the Trump administration to increase the capacity for detaining immigrants, which has included a significant push to find additional bed space for detainees. Currently, there are about 60,000 beds available, with plans to expand this capacity (Associated Press). Hegseth's announcement has drawn criticism from various lawmakers and civil rights advocates, who argue that using military facilities for immigration detention could compromise military preparedness and raise ethical concerns regarding the treatment of detainees (New Jersey Spotlight News).
Analysis
The claim that Secretary Hegseth announced the use of these military bases for detaining immigrants is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The Associated Press and NPR both reported on Hegseth's communication with Congress regarding the proposed use of Camp Atterbury and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for this purpose. These reports are corroborated by statements from Hegseth, which emphasize that the presence of detainees would not interfere with military operations.
However, the sources also highlight significant opposition to this plan. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers from both states, have expressed concerns about the implications of using military resources for immigration enforcement. They argue that this could set a troubling precedent and potentially lead to increased ICE raids in local communities (Military Times). The criticisms are echoed by civil rights organizations, which argue that such actions contradict foundational American values (New Jersey Spotlight News).
The reliability of the sources is strong, as they include major news organizations like the Associated Press and NPR, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes. Additionally, the statements from Hegseth are official communications that have been reported consistently across multiple outlets, reinforcing their credibility.
Conclusion
The claim that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the use of Indiana’s Camp Atterbury and New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to house illegal immigrants is True. This assertion is supported by multiple credible news reports and official statements from Hegseth. While there is significant opposition to this plan, the announcement itself is factual and well-documented.
Sources
- Hegseth tells lawmakers about plan to detain immigrants at ...
- Military bases in New Jersey and Indiana will be expanded ...
- Hegseth flags plan to detain immigrants at bases in Indiana ...
- NJ military base to be used for immigrant detention
- Hegseth tells lawmakers of plan to detain immigrants at 2 US ...
- Hegseth tells lawmakers about plan to detain immigrants at ...
- Feds: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to hold immigrant ...
- Hegseth tells lawmakers about plan to detain immigrants at ...