ICE Raids Potentially Coming To NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy Says

Gov. Phil Murphy said the state is preparing for possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids this weekend, and he's planning to take action to protect immigrants.

Murphy said his administration is proactively reaching out to immigrant communities "to make sure they know we stand with them and are prepared to do whatever we can to protect them."

“Let’s be clear: The Trump Administration’s fear-mongering is un-American and dangerous," he said in a statement. "These raids do not make us safer; they will only make the work of local law enforcement more challenging and increase fears in our hardworking immigrant communities."

ICE is moving forward with targeted raids beginning Sunday of least 2,000 immigrants who have been previously ordered deported, according to The New York Times.

Ten cities are on the potential target list according to information circulated by the office of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is running for the Democratic nomination for president. No New Jersey cities were on the list.

New Jersey has been the target of ICE raids before, however. And these ICE raids could happen anywhere in New Jersey; they have before. Nearly all of New Jersey's counties have had some type of enforcement action since President Trump took office in January 2017.

In May, ICE arrested 13 immigrants in New Jersey during a 4-day surge effort that targeted people for a variety of alleged offenses.

The 13 were either issued a final order of removal in the past five years, failed to depart the United States by a specific deadline and/or they were convicted on criminal charges. Or they may have pending criminal charges, ICE said in a release.

Read more: ICE Arrests 13 In 4-Day NJ 'Surge' Operation

Murphy said his administration is doing what it can to make sure immigrants have legal representation and protection.

“Any family who needs legal representation should know there are many pro bono legal services available to them," he said. "We will be doing everything we can to highlight these resources and to make sure our immigrant communities know their rights and feel at home.”