New Brunswick is Not a Sanctuary City; Declaration Yields Protests

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - New York may be a sanctuary city. And Jersey City. And Maplewood. But New Brunswick is not.

While cities across the U.S. proclaim they are "sanctuary cities" — which has varying policy specifics, but basically means municipalities shield illegal immigrants from federal authorities — New Brunswick is not. When asked by Patch last month, city spokeswoman Jennifer Bradshaw said New Brunswick is not a sanctuary city.

She expanded her explanation to Rutgers' student newspaper, the Daily Targum this week, by saying that New Brunswick police comply with federal immigration policies. New Brunswick police follows policies set by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, the Office of the Attorney General and the federal government, she said.

New Brunswick has a very large Hispanic population and 38.3 percent of the city’s residents were born outside the U.S.

“For more than 25 years, it has been the practice of this administration to welcome and accept all residents of the city of New Brunswick as they are,” New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill added in a statement. “We have no intention to put an end to that practice, regardless of any change in the political climate.”

The city's declaration that it complies with federal immigration policies has prompted an outcry among some, who are planning a protest Tuesday afternoon outside New Brunswick City Hall.

"New Brunswick is home to one of New Jersey's largest immigrant communities and the comments from Cahill’s office is chilling to the immigrants who live, work and are a vital part of the city," read a statement from New Jersey Working Families, a grassroots independent political organization based in Newark. "Activists are asking Mayor Cahill to enact clear codified policies to protect local immigrant communities, similar to those that have passed in Jersey City and East Orange in recent weeks."

A 2007 general directive from the New Jersey Attorney General says that local police officers must inquire about immigration status upon arrest of a suspect for an indictable offense (including drunk driving) and report those suspected of being undocumented to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, even the AG's office admits their directive hasn't been enforced or followed.

As Patch reported last week, Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R-District 17), who is seeking the Republican nomination for New Jersey governor, strongly criticized New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio over New York City's declaration as a sanctuary city. In New York, illegal immigrants who are caught committing crimes such as drunk driving, sexual misconduct, grand larceny, welfare fraud and identity theft are not turned over to federal immigration officials. President Trump has said he will revoke federal funding for sanctuary cities such as New York. New Brunswick will likely not lose any of its state or federal funding.

"I was shocked to learn that as part of Mayor de Blasio's sanctuary city policy, illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes such as sexual misconduct, grand larceny, welfare fraud and identity theft are not turned over to immigration enforcement officials for deportation," said Ciatarelli. "Considering all law enforcement is up against in keeping us safe, this is no time for ‘sanctuary city’ policies, which only encourage illegal immigration. This and other immigration issues need to be urgently addressed as part of a larger reform package negotiated by President Trump and Congress as soon as possible."

The student newspaper interviewed undocumented immigrants who live in New Brunswick:

Pascual Lopez, 37, is an undocumented New Brunswick resident who has lived there since he left Mexico in 1998. He is a cook at a diner in New Brunswick. Lopez said he understands why President Trump wants to crack down on immigrants who commit crimes like drug trafficking.

But he also said that most immigrants come here to do “honest work” and to “contribute to this country.” He told the Targum he wanted to stay in this country and see his 7-year-old daughter attend a university like Rutgers.

“I would be willing to pay $10,000 to be able to stay and do that,” he said.

The protest will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday outside New Brunswick City Hall. Read the Daily Targum article here: Mayor's office says New Brunswick is not a "sanctuary city"

Photos provided to Patch of the Women's March protest on Jan. 21 in Trenton, NJ.