Petition Asks Wayne Officials To Take Action On ICE Activity

WAYNE, NJ — Hundreds of residents in Wayne have signed a petition for the mayor and council to pass an ordinance that would limit ICE activity in the township.

The petition, on Change.org, calls ICE’s activity “unconstitutional,” adding that Wayne residents “pride ourselves on being a welcoming and diverse community, where every resident, regardless of their immigration status, should feel safe, respected, and valued.”

“It's more important than ever for our local leadership to reaffirm their commitment to these principles, and to stand up for constitutional rights and human dignity,” the petition reads. “Policies currently being implemented by our federal government have resulted in an atmosphere of fear here in New Jersey and across our nation. Immigrants, including those who have green cards and who have committed no crimes-- and even children-- are being rounded up, sent to prison camps, and denied due process and other rights guaranteed in our Constitution.”

Petitioners are asking Mayor Christopher Vergano and the council to follow in the footsteps of towns including Teaneck, Parsippany, and Morristown, which signed resolutions to limit ICE’s grasp.

Specifically, they want local officials to ban ICE from operating on any town-owned property without a judicial warrant, similar to a statewide initiative signed by Governor Mikie Sherrill last month.

“We, the People of Wayne, hereby petition Mayor Vergano and the Wayne Town Council to pass a resolution protecting our residents from ICE actions at our schools, parks, municipal buildings, and all town-owned facilities unless they present a judicial warrant,” it reads. “Let's ensure the rights and dignity of all individuals in Wayne are preserved and respected, irrespective of immigration status.”

More than 400 people signed the petition as of Wednesday afternoon.