Federal immigration agents are expanding their footprint in New Jersey with imminent plans to reopen a 1000 bed detention center at Delaney Hall in Newark.

The move from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would nearly double the agency's capacity to detain people from the Northeast and help ICE manage the region's growing enforcement and deportation operations.

As part of President Trump's crackdown, ICE representatives say they struck a 15 year $1.2 billion deal with GEO Group, the owner of the property, to use the site as a federal immigration processing and detention center.

Now, GEO also holds the contract for Ice Air, which operates out of Newark Airport to transfer people domestically or deport them.

Backlash was immediate from immigrant rights groups and federal leaders in Newark.

Congresswoman La monica McIvor, who represents the area, blasted the new contract, saying it's in direct opposition to the will of the people in her city.

The Murphy administration sought to prevent new ice contracts in the state through a 2021 law that was ultimately deemed partially unconstitutional.

Advocates are now calling on lawmakers to pass legislation to protect the state's immigrant community.