NEWTON—Sussex County Education Association President Angela DeLuca has rejected demands from three Republican state lawmakers to apologize for co-sponsoring a March 28 rally that labeled a proposed Roxbury immigration facility a "concentration camp." The refusal sparks a jurisdictional clash between the GOP delegation and the statewide teachers union over appropriate political speech by educators.

State Senator Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia and Assemblyman Michael Inganamort issued a March 4 letter accusing the union of legitimizing "hateful and historically inaccurate rhetoric." The District 24 legislators targeted SCEA's co-sponsorship of the Newton event organized by New Jersey 50501 and Indivisible.

Materials promoting the demonstration described the 474,000-square-foot Ledgewood facility as a "concentration camp." The GOP delegation stated educators should not lend credibility to messaging equating modern detention with "the vile carnage of the Holocaust."

DeLuca defended the language as "historically grounded and academically mainstream." She cited a July 2019 letter signed by over 400 Holocaust scholars regarding migrant detention centers, as well as Merriam-Webster's definition of camps as places where "large numbers of people are detained or confined under armed guard."

NJEA spokesperson Steven Baker announced statewide solidarity with the Sussex County local. "NJEA stands in proud solidarity with our members in Sussex County," he stated. The backing provides institutional support for SCEA's position amid GOP pressure to withdraw.

Federal authorities purchased the Route 46 warehouse for $129.3 million in February. Plans call for housing 1,500 detainees at the Morris County site under expanded immigration enforcement.

Previous demonstrations at the site drew over 1,000 participants on February 28. Newton will host the March 28 protest featuring Project NINJA and other advocacy groups.

GOP legislators characterized SCEA participation as "disgraceful" given their educational responsibilities. Democratic legislators have not commented on the dispute.

The March confrontation occurs as New Jersey's 2026 electoral race intensifies, with immigration emerging as a primary wedge issue.

Sources:

• New Jersey Globe

• NJ.com

• NJ 101.5

• Newton Today

• WRNJ Radio

• New Jersey Hills/West Morris Reporter

• Politico NJ Playbook

• North Jersey.com

• NJ Assembly GOP