Split Opinions In Essex County As Trump Postpones ICE Raids

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County elected officials are offering split opinions about President Donald Trump’s decision to delay a series of controversial ICE raids on undocumented immigrants.

The raids were slated to take place on Sunday in 10 major U.S. cities, including New York City. None of the locations were in New Jersey.

Trump tweeted earlier this week that "ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States." But shortly before the raids took place, the president announced those operations will be delayed for two weeks to see if Democrats and Republicans can work together to solve the "Asylum and Loophole problems" at the Southern border.

• See related article: Immigration Raids Targeting 10 Cities Delayed, Trump Says

Mayors of several cities, including Denver, Baltimore and San Francisco, have vowed not to cooperate with immigration authorities, The New York Times reported.

Their defiant stand was blasted by Nutley Township Commissioner and America Winning Coalition President Steven Rogers.

Rogers, who has been on the frontline of Trump's 2020 Campaign Advisory Board in New Jersey, said any politicians who refuse to comply should have the book thrown at them.

“Soon ICE begins arresting illegals in a major sweep,” Rogers tweeted Saturday, just before the raids were delayed. “Some public officials have vowed not to cooperate. Hopefully they will be arrested. Local police should obey their orders but to make sure they name in their reports who ordered them not to enforce federal law. Stay tuned!”

Rogers added:

“Politicians vowing not to have local police cooperate with ICE, are, in my view obstructing justice. They should be charged and held accountable for their actions. #MAGA”

However, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and the NJ Urban Mayors’ Association had a different take on the controversy, denouncing Trump’s plans during a press conference at Newark City Hall on Monday.

“Since the time we declared ourselves a ‘sanctuary city,’ we in Newark have been witnessing more ICE activity in our community,” Baraka said. “In fact, in 2018, ICE arrested over 3,000 people, which is a seven percent increase over the previous year, which means they have stepped up enforcement in this area, due to the fact that we have declared ourselves a ‘sanctuary city.’”

Trump’s proposed ICE raids are “inhumane,” he added.

“We are here to support those in our communities who may find themselves victimized by this administration,” Baraka said. “We will do whatever we can to make them feel safe, make them feel secure, and let them know that the folks of this community stand with them and stand with their families continuously through this difficult time. We believe that they should benefit from the services of our community.”

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