Council President Addresses ICE Arrest Within Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit's Common Council President addressed the community on Tuesday night following the arrest of an individual by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Feb. 11.

Police Chief Ryan Peters said he was notified earlier that day by the United States Department of Homeland Security that officers were acting on a warrant within the community before the person was taken into custody without conflict.

At Tuesday night's Common Council meeting, President Claire Toth confirmed that it was a resident of Summit who was arrested, then expanded on the City's stance regarding the situation.

"Every Summit resident should feel secure accessing city services, reaching out to the police, and sending our children to our public schools. That includes applying for free and reduced lunches," Toth added.

She spoke on the ongoing conversations that elected officials are having with other city officials regarding how information is gathered, stored, and how, if at all, it is shared. "So far, they have been very reassuring about maintaining resident privacy."

Peters said his department was not involved or called by any residents or law enforcement to aid in the operation.

Summit continues to abide by the New Jersey "Immigrant Trust Directive," established in 2019 to limit the ways that law enforcement on the state, local, and county level voluntarily provide assistance and information to ICE agents.

"We are neighbors," Toth added on Tuesday. "We are in this together."

RELATED COVERAGE:

1. 'Cause For Concern': Democrats Speak Out After ICE Arrest In Union County
2. ICE Activity Prompts Response From Leaders In Union County

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