Middlesex Moves To Block ICE From County Property

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - Middlesex County officials announced plans to ban U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal immigration agents from operating on county property.

Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios, Deputy Director Shanti Narra and Sheriff Mildred S. Scott unveiled the proposed resolution at a news conference on Thursday in Middlesex County.

The Board of County Commissioners is set to vote on the resolution at its March 5 meeting.

If passed, the policy would bar ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting civil immigration enforcement on any county-owned, leased or operated property. That includes county courts, the county jail, Middlesex College and the county's magnet schools.

The county says the move aligns with Gov. Mikie Sherrill's Executive Order No. 12, which restricts the use of state property for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant. It would also bring the county in line with the state Attorney General's Immigrant Trust Directive.

"Our residents deserve to feel safe and secure when accessing county services," Rios said. "Middlesex County will not permit actions on county property that undermine trust or compromise constitutional rights."

Narra, who chairs the county's Public Safety and Health Committee, said fear of immigration enforcement has discouraged some residents from using county services.

"No resident should be in fear of interacting with county government based on who they are or where they come from," she said.

Sheriff Scott said her duty is to enforce the law — and that means stopping what she called unlawful enforcement practices.

"Immigration enforcement activity that is not consistent with our Constitution is unlawful, plain and simple," Scott said.

The resolution would also require training for county employees, contractors and agents to ensure they do not voluntarily assist with immigration enforcement unless required by law. The county plans to offer “Know Your Rights” training for residents in partnership with local nonprofits and community groups.

Residents who have interactions with ICE in New Jersey can report them at njoag.gov/portal. Information about legal rights regardless of immigration status is available at nj.gov/knowyourrights

More details about the policy will be posted at middlesexcountynj.gov after the March 5 vote.

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