Bergen County Town Addresses ICE Activity Near School

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After rumors spread in a Bergen County town last week about arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, officials responded at a council meeting and in a message to the community.

Teaneck Mayor Mark Schwartz, Police Chief Andrew McGurr, and other local officials sent a letter out on Friday confirming that ICE agents were in Teaneck on Jan. 24 and addressed questions from residents.

"This was not the first time they have been in town and may not be the last," officials wrote in the letter. "The Teaneck Police Department has, and continues to, abide by the NJ Office of the Attorney General Directive No. 2018-6 v2.2, Immigrant Trust Directive, when dealing with ICE or members of immigrant communities."

The state directive says that with certain exceptions, police in New Jersey can't provide ICE with access to state or local law enforcement resources, and can't question people solely based on immigration status.

Mayor Schwartz clarified at a council meeting on Tuesday that the town had first received calls on Saturday about "suspicious activity" on Garden Street. Police confirmed that ICE agents were on the scene. Schwartz said the police went on their way after they confirmed the agents' identities. Police were later called again to the corner of Garden Street and Teaneck Road, where a small protest had gathered. Nothing concerning occurred, Schwartz said (you can watch his comments at the meeting here).

Student Questioned

However, a report in NJ.com on Sunday quoted anonymous sources as saying that a student and her uncle were questioned by ICE agents on the way to school in Teaneck on Thursday.

The report said that the man was detained, but let go after agents determined he was a U.S. citizen.

Patch reached out on Monday to Teaneck officials, who declined to comment, and to an ICE spokesperson, who did not respond. This story will be updated if more information is available.

A spokesperson for the Teaneck police said Monday that police have not yet confirmed whether ICE in town on Thursday, as the social posts about the student suggested.

A Facebook post from Thursday read, "Reports are coming in that a little girl was taken by ICE from her bus stop on Garden St this morning. I’m attempting to verify."

Such posts, and national media reports of detainments of children across the country, have heightened fears in the region, said residents.

The Democratic Committee in the nearby town of Glen Rock issued a statement Monday about immigration enforcement.

"We are aware of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions taking place in communities across New Jersey and throughout the country," they wrote. "These actions have created fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak for many families, including right here in Bergen County...

"In the words of the federal judge who ordered the release of young Liam, the five year old in a bunny hat, we are facing 'the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest.' We oppose this cruelty. We oppose the use of government resources to terrorize communities ... We oppose locking up journalists to intimidate the press. We also recognize that ICE has targeted black and brown people, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status."

National News

Concerns have ramped up in the past month after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by ICE during protests in Minnesota, as well as reports of arrests of U.S. citizens by mistake and detainments of children.

Close to home, North Jersey news outlets reported that ICE arrested a Morris County teenager, who was later released, and nabbed a father who was watching over his 6-year-old daughter.

Local and state officials, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill, have encouraged residents to report sightings of ICE in New Jersey. Videos and reports about some of the detainments have led to a change of status.

Over the weekend, videos appeared around the internet of ICE arrests in Hoboken. READ MORE: 'Don't Need A Warrant': Videos Show ICE Presence In Hoboken, Jersey City

'Standards Act'

The Trump administration said last year that it would sue several cities with added immigrant protections in place, including Paterson, Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City. READ MORE: Trump Administration Says It Will Sue 4 NJ Cities

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who represents Bergen County, said last week that he'd introduce the "ICE Standards Act," to require bodyworn cameras, strict training, and other requirements for federal law enforcement.

On Monday, New Jersey Rep. Rob Menendez said he would hold a telephone town hall related to "rising concerns" about immigration enforcement at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, along with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and LaMonica McIver. Details are here.