Politics & Government
Sherrill Opened A Portal To Snitch On ICE. Here’s How It’s Going
ICE agency officials says the initiative is "garbage."
Nearly three dozen reports of misconduct by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been reported using a new tool in New Jersey so far, the state's Attorney General's office said.
Around 35 "substantive" submissions have been received as of Friday. The office had no further comment on how many of those complaints were looked into further.
"ICE is held to the highest professional standard and officers regularly receive ongoing training," U.S. Department of Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told Patch. "America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring the job day-in and day-out."
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On Feb. 11, a new citizens portal was launched where residents in New Jersey can report alleged misconduct by agents through not only written filings, but also by uploading videos and pictures.
Governor Mikie Sherrill revealed on Jan. 28 that she and Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport were working together on the tool as a way for citizens to better hold federal officers accountable.
Find out what's happening in Across New Jerseyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The cry for even more transparency on both a state and national level came just days after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead during an altercation with agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This was the second deadly confrontation over just a few weeks in the state, after resident Renee Good was killed while driving her car near a group of agents.
"They have not been forthcoming. They will pick people up. They will not tell us who they are. They will not tell us if they are here legally. They won't check," said Sherrill of the ways in which ICE carries out raids.
"These smears are contributing to our officers facing more than a 1,300 percent increase in assaults, 3,200 percent increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them," said Bis. "We are calling on Democrats, like Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, to stop spreading this garbage."
The New Jersey citizens' portal encourages any and all concerning activity, including excessive force, warrantless searches or arrests, racial profiling, wrongful detentions, interference with voting, and other civil rights violations, to be reported immediately.
RELATED COVERAGE: Trump Administration Sues NJ Over Mikie Sherrill's 'ICE Ban'
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