'Don't Need A Warrant, Bro': Hoboken, Jersey City Officials Address ICE Arrests

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — At least two employees of Hoboken businesses were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Sunday morning — near the border with Jersey City — prompting officials in both cities to share updates with the public Monday.

Local residents posted videos and photos on Sunday of a uniformed ICE agent arresting a man on a bicycle near the light rail elevator in Jersey City Heights, a conduit used by residents to travel down the Palisade cliffs to get to Hoboken.

A second video, posted to social media later on Sunday by Jersey City Heights Councilman Jake Ephros, shows Ephros asking a group of agents in the elevator if they have warrants, to which one replies, "We don't need a warrant, bro. Stop getting that in your head."

Ephros then asks the agents — who identify themselves as ICE — "What is your job today? Are you just looking for anybody in particular?"

(Gov. Mikie Sherrill weighed in on the video Monday night, Tweeting, "We still follow the Constitution here in New Jersey, bro. Get that into your head.")

How Many?

Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour said at a community meeting Sunday night that "several" people were arrested by ICE on Sunday, but that she didn't know how many. She said owners of local businesses identified two of them as their employees.

Ephros told Patch on Monday night that he heard that four people were arrested, but he has not confirmed this. He said he's trying to find out where the detainees were taken.

He said that nearly 900 people registered to attend a community meeting he held Sunday night.

ICE has not said publicly whether the arrests were the result of a specific criminal investigation, or at random. Patch reached out to an ICE spokesperson on Monday and will update this story when more facts are released.

National Coverage

New Jersey officials have expressed concerns about ICE in the past month after the reported arrests of U.S. citizens by mistake, as well as detainments of children, and the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens during protests in Minnesota. READ MORE: Judge Refuses To Halt ICE Operation In MN As Lawsuit Proceeds

Closer to home, North Jersey news outlets reported that ICE arrested a Morris County teenager, who was later released, and also nabbed a father who was watching over his 6-year-old daughter.

On Sunday, Ravi Bhalla, an assemblyman representing Hoboken and part of Jersey City, said in a message to residents, "We urge all residents to remain vigilant, lawfully record any incidents with ICE, and to stay home if needed. We will continue to share updates and relevant information as it becomes available."

Local and state officials, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill, have encouraged residents to report sightings of ICE in New Jersey. READ MORE: Sherrill Encourages New Jerseyans To Track ICE Through Portal

Videos and reports about people being detained across the country, including a 5-year-old boy in Minnesota, have raised awareness and resulted in changes.

Bhalla encouraged residents to call the Spirit of Liberation hotline at 201-616-2816.

Jabbour, who took office just two weeks ago, said in a community meeting in her town on Sunday night, "We know at least two of the people who were detained worked for local Hoboken businesses, because I've heard from the business owners. They are terrified for the people they care about."

She added, "Make sure we're all looking out for each other. That's what Hoboken is all about. We look out for our neighbors in this town."

'Rising Concerns'

The federal administration said last year that it would sue several cities with extra immigrant protections in place, including Hoboken and Jersey City. READ MORE: Trump Administration Says It Will Sue 4 NJ Cities

On Monday, Rep. Rob Menendez, who represents Hoboken, Jersey City, and other area towns, said he would hold a telephone town hall related to "rising concerns" about immigration enforcement at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, along with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver. Details are here.

Elsewhere in North Jersey, Rep. Josh Gottheimer said he'd introduce the "ICE Standards Act," to require bodyworn cameras, strict training, and other requirements for federal law enforcement.

PRIOR REPORTING: Hudson County Says They'll Fight For More Immigrant Protections