Picture Showing Border Patrol In Morristown Was Fake

MORRISTOWN, NJ– A photo circulating online claiming to show Border Patrol agents in Morristown has been photoshopped and never happened, Morristown officials said in a statement.

“It saddens me to see an image purposefully created to generate fear within our community,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty. “Morristown is diverse, welcoming and inclusive. It’s especially important that we stand together as a community to continue to promote these values.”

The image claimed to show Border Patrol agents patting a man down against the side of a car in a Sussex Avenue parking lot, but was actually two different images put together.

A closer look easily debunks the image. The Border Patrol agents are standing on sand (there is no sand anywhere else in the picture) and the dimensions are off. Bureau of Police confirmed the picture was digitally altered.

Morristown officials reaffirmed they have no intention of implementing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287 (g) program. 287 (g) would allow Department of Homeland Security to train local police officers to perform immigration enforcement duties.

“All of Morristown’s residents deserve a secure environment to raise their families, go to work, and contribute to society without fear,” Dougherty said at a local immigration forum earlier this year.

Police Chief Pete Demnitz has been outspoken against 287 (g), as Patch has previously reported.

Here is the original, full image of Border Patrol agents used in the fake, and an actual photo of 39 Sussex Ave:

All images courtesy of The Town of Morristown