Dem Running For NJ 4 Bashes Trump's Zero-Tolerance Policy

Josh Welle, the Democrat hoping to unseat New Jersey's longtime Fourth District Republican Congressman Chris Smith, came out swinging this week against President Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy.

Over the weekend, Welle and three other veterans running for Congress joined Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton (D) for a two-day mission to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Welle, a veteran himself, took particular issue with U.S. military veterans being deported. He is pictured above meeting with Frances (last name not provided), a U.S. military veteran and his wife at the Veterans Bunker in Juarez, Mexico.

Frances served in the U.S. military, but was deported for a DUI.

"Frances served in the U.S. Navy and was deployed to the Persian Gulf. He was deported because he was not a citizen and convicted of a DWI," said a Welle campaign spokeswoman, Colleen Curtis. "His family now lives in the U.S. His wife is a citizen, his children are citizens, and he will never be able to go back to the country he defended."

Welle is a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served multiple tours in Afghanistan after 9/11.

“Over the past 48 hours, we spoke with border patrol officials, immigration lawyers, local activists, and people who are facing inhumane practices on the border," said Welle in a pre-prepared statement. "We heard from mothers who have no idea where their children are, and met with veterans who served our country honorably but have been deported and forced to leave their families due to non-violent offenses. The actions being taken under the direction of the current administration violate the principles this country was founded on.”

“We are here to bear witness to the crisis engulfing our nation, and to meet people who have been impacted by Washington’s inhumane policy of separating children from their parents with no plan to reunite them,” said Welle. "These families have been torn apart under the false claim that Customs and Border Patrol are enforcing laws."

However, Trump signed an executive order two weeks ago that ended the separation of children and families and is planning to relocate immigrant detainees at Fort Bliss in Texas.

Welle also criticized Smith because he says Smith has not done enough to prevent family separations at the border. Like Welle, Smith has also criticized the policy, saying on June 19 the policy was "seriously wrong, hurts families, and needs to immediately end."

Welle however, said this week that words from Smith are not enough.

Do YOU live in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District?

New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District includes nearly all of Monmouth County, from part of Middletown and Holmdel on south, into Colts Neck, Freehold, Jackson, Plumstead and Point Pleasant in Ocean County and a small sliver of Mercer County (Hamilton and Robbinsville).

See if you live in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Smith has represented New Jersey's 4th District for decades, since 1981. NJ4 voted for Republican presidents in the past four elections: Trump, Romney, McCain and Bush. Democrats hope that the 2018 midterms, riding a blue wave of anti-Trump sentiment, could be their chance to flip NJ4 to blue.

The midterm election is Nov. 6.

Past Patch reporting: Both 4th District Congress Candidates Against Border Separation