South Orange President Prepares For Possible ICE Raids

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - South Orange Village President Sheena Collum said that local law enforcement would not be participating in possible impending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids unless legally compelled to do so.

"Earlier this week, several news outlets began reporting on raids that would be undertaken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This followed a tweet by President Trump on Monday, June 17, 2019 stating 'millions' of undocumented immigrants will be removed from the United States 'next week,'" Collum wrote in a letter to residents. "Many concerned residents have asked what this will mean for our community. While I cannot speculate as to whether South Orange will be directly impacted by measures undertaken by the federal government, I can reassure you that local law enforcement will not be cooperating unless legally compelled to do so."

Collum then referred to Resolution 2017-27, adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 13, 2017:

“…The Village hereby adopts and announces a clear policy, consistent with the Village’s
existing and historic practices, that the South Orange Police Department has not and will not
enforce federal immigration law nor help facilitate ICE deportations, except where legally
required to do so. The Village and the Police Department will not enter into any contracts,
agreements or arrangements, including “287(g) agreements” or Intergovernmental Service
Agreements with the federal government that deputize local law enforcement officers to act as
immigration agents or use local facilities to house immigrants in deportation proceedings.”
“… The Township of South Orange, including its departments, employees and officials shall
not expend Village funds or resources to enforce Federal Immigration Laws unless required
by Federal or State statutes, regulations, court decisions or directives and guidelines of the New Jersey Attorney General.”

"At this time, there has been no correspondence from the federal government to local law enforcement," Collum said. "Chief Kyle Kroll has assured the Board of Trustees that he will keep us informed and has reinforced to all supervisors the Village’s clearly defined policies as stated above."

Collumn also referred to the “Know Your Rights” resources are available at www.njimmigrantjustice.org.

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