Campaign Aims to Educate Princeton Residents in Wake of DHS Raids

Princeton, NJ -- Members of the Human Services Commission, the police department, the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) and Unidad Latina en Acción NJ (ULA) is beginning an outreach campaign to Princeton residents who may be fearful of being arrested following the announcement that the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will conduct a series of raids across the nation.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the raids will target children and families who were captured after May 1, 2014, after crossing the southern border and have been issued final orders of removal by an immigration court. In most cases, this occurred in absentia, and without their knowledge.

The group plans educate residents about their rights and how to respond to ICE agents in the event they show up at their home.

“For example, ICE agents must show a court order signed by a judge to enter someone’s home,” the group said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “If they don’t have one, the person is not obligated to open their door.”

Outreach efforts will include hosting “Know Your Rights” information sessions in the community, providing helpful information and resources to residents through various community outlets, and using the local Human Services office as a resource for residents to ask questions.

“We want our residents to be educated, to have access to competent immigration attorneys and nonprofit agencies, to have their documents and records in a safe place and not to fear seeking assistance from local police, schools and other agencies, when needed. We would like them to continue to live their lives and go on with their normal routines,” Executive Director of Human Services Elisa Neira said.

According to a statement released by the DHS, ICE agents have apprehended 121 men, women and children in several states, mostly in Texas, Georgia and North Carolina. Immigrant advocacy organizations across the U.S. are warning residents not to open their doors to ICE without a search or arrest warrant, which can be slipped under the door, and to remain silent and calm.

“These recent ICE operations are unfortunate,” Princeton Councilwoman Heather Howard said. “They damage the work that communities like Princeton are doing to build inclusive and welcoming relationships that foster trust and cooperation between immigrants, police and local government.”

“The Princeton Police Department is committed to protecting all members of the community, without regard to immigration status, or nationality, and we want to emphasize that local law enforcement does not enforce federal immigration laws,” Princeton Police Chief Nicholas Sutter said.

Last summer, Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert reiterated stood by Princeton as a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants after an undocumented immigrant who was deported five times allegedly killed a woman in California, according to the Princeton Packet.

She cited how important she feels it is for people to feel safe when reporting crimes, and to know that the police are there to protect them, according to the report.

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) denounced the raids in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“These raids illustrate the many painful aspects of a system that has failed, including harsh tactics facing undocumented mothers and children whose only mistake was to escape a certain death in their native countries,” Menendez said. “The Northern Triangle nations of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala have the highest murder rates in the world. We must recognize that these families are fleeing escalating violence and address the root causes of this humanitarian crisis.”

He added that he has “deep concerns” about the “chilling effects these home raids will have among immigrant communities who will understandably be terrified and deterred from approaching law enforcement to report crimes and forced further into the shadows.”

In the event that any ICE action takes place in Princeton, those affected are encouraged to call the Human Services office for assistance at 609-688-2055.