ICE Arrested 10 People During Jersey City-Based Enforcement Sunday, DHS Says

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A total of 10 people were arrested in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweep near the Jersey City/Hoboken border on Sunday, federal officials said Tuesday.

The arrests were part of a "targeted" operation in Jersey City, said Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

After Jersey City residents spotted the agents near an elevator between Jersey City and Hoboken Sunday morning, they began sharing videos of the encounters around the internet, and officials in both cities held community meetings Sunday night.

“On February 1, ICE conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Jersey City, New Jersey," McLaughlin said in a statement, "to arrest 10 illegal aliens including multiple illegal aliens who committed felonies by illegally re-entering the U.S. All ten illegal aliens will remain in ICE custody pending removal."

When asked Tuesday if any of the 10 suspects were wanted for additional crimes, an ICE spokesperson said she did not have more information to share with Patch at this time.

“Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.," McLaughlin noted.

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At least two employees of Hoboken businesses were arrested in the operation Sunday, Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour said at a community meeting on Sunday night.

Jersey City Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros, who represents the Heights section, told Patch that 900 people had signed up to attend his own meeting that night.

He posted a video Sunday that shows him 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 asked the agents — who identify themselves as ICE — "What is your job today? Are you just looking for anybody in particular?"

Gov. Mikie Sherrill responded to the video on Monday by Tweeting, "We still follow the Constitution here in New Jersey, bro. Get that into your head."

ICE spells out on its website the types of administrative warrants they use, and lists situations in which they would not need warrants.

McLaughlin said Tuesday that the Jersey City Police Department was notified of the operation, but a spokesperson for Jersey City Mayor James Solomon told Patch, "That is 100 percent not true. JCPD was not informed."

Solomon did not issue additional comment on McLaughlin's remarks.

On Sunday, he had said, "To our immigrant neighbors: You do not have to open your door without a warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to a lawyer. Do not sign anything you do not understand ... More than 40 percent of Jersey City residents were born in another country. You should not be not a target—you are our neighbors. You builtthis city. You belong here."

New Jersey officials have expressed concerns about immigration enforcement in the past month after North Jersey news outlets reported that ICE arrested a Morris County teenager, who was later released, and nabbed a father who was watching over his 6-year-old daughter.

Concerns ramped up after the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by ICE during protests in Minnesota.

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."

Bhalla and Assemblywoman Katie Brennan, who represent Hoboken and part of Jersey City, did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday by press time.

Jabbour said in her meeting Sunday, "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."

Federal officials said last year that they would sue several "sanctuary cities" that have added immigrant protections, including Newark, Paterson, 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 about "rising concerns" about immigration enforcement at 5:30 p.m., along with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver. Details are here.

Patch will update this story when more information is released.

PRIOR REPORTING: ICE Seen Making Arrests Near Jersey City/Hoboken Border Sunday