By Donald Gilpin
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that led to the detention of 16 Princeton residents last Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 and 24, have caused fear, anger, and consternation in the community. Those emotions and more surfaced at Monday’s discordant Princeton Council meeting that was attended by an overflow crowd of more than 100 people, with about 50 speaking out and demanding more action from Council.
During the meeting, which lasted for more than three hours — consisting mostly of public comment in response to the raids and to what many saw as Council’s lack of action — emotions ran high, with a wide range of speakers describing the plight of families impacted by the detention of relatives and friends and demanding that Council pass a resolution to support the Immigrant Trust Act (ITA). The ITA is a proposal currently in the state legislature that would strengthen the New Jersey Attorney General’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, which helps to protect the immigrant community.
Some of the speakers represented advocacy groups, such as Resistencia en Accion NJ, and others were local residents of many different ages, perspectives, and backgrounds.
In preliminary remarks before the start of the public comment portion of the meeting, Princeton Mayor Freda asserted the Council’s commitment to taking action on behalf of the immigrant community, and he reiterated some of the points that he and Council had made in a written statement earlier in the day.
“I am discouraged by hearing comments that we do nothing,” he told the sporadically unruly gathering. “Or that we do very little to support the immigrant community within our community.” He went on to enumerate services and programs — medical, financial, and other public assistance — delivered through the Human Services Department.
He emphasized, “We do not collect data on immigration status. Our police do nothing in connection with ICE. We do not help them find people or grab people.” The earlier statement noted that “ICE conducted this operation [July 24] without notifying the Municipality or Princeton Police.”
Council President Mia Sacks added that the Council supports the ITA resolution and plans to deliver a resolution to the state legislature “at a time that is most effective.”
The July 28 statement from mayor and Council stated that municipal staff and officials have been attempting to find out the identity of the individuals detained, and that one impacted family is known and is being assisted with legal and financial resources.
“We are deeply troubled by this event, and by similar incidents occurring throughout New Jersey and across the country,” the statement notes. “We stand in solidarity with those affected and their families, sharing in their pain and uncertainty.”
It continues, “Some of the individuals detained Thursday attend our houses of worship, raise families in Princeton, and all contribute to our community in immeasurable ways. As expressed in our statement from February of this year, we want to assure all our residents that you are, first and foremost, members of our community, and we remain steadfast in our mission to serve and support you.”
The statement goes on to express the intention to formally support passage of the ITA in the future at the most appropriate time, reiterates that ICE’s authority supersedes local law enforcement in the matter of immigration law, and that “Princeton Police will neither participate in nor obstruct ICE operations.”
Municipal officials have suggested that a resolution supporting the ITA is likely to be passed in the fall, and though it is not clear that such a resolution would have great impact, there are many who want to see it passed. They also want Council to take stronger, immediate action in support of the detainees and the immigrant community and in countering aggressive operations by ICE.
In a comment at the end of Monday’s meeting, Councilwoman Leticia Fraga provided the perspective of a Council member and a resident Princeton immigrant. “I’ve been advocating for the ITA and other legislation,” she said. “Don’t assume that you know how we think and what we do. I have two grandchildren who for at least 10 years have been living without their dad, who was deported. I know the pain and how traumatic it is for children especially to be separated from their parents.”
She continued, “I don’t do this work for validation or recognition. I feel that I know what my community needs. I’m doing the work along with my colleagues. You may not see it, but it’s being done.”
In a phone conversation on Tuesday, Fraga pointed out concerns that passing a resolution in support of ITA would “put a bullseye on our community,” but she emphasized that passing a resolution would “let our community know that we have their best interests at heart” and would help to persuade other towns in the state to show their support of the resolution.
She expressed optimism that the Council might be able to move the resolution forward soon after receiving feedback from the Municipality’s CARES committee (Committee on Affordable Housing, Racial, Economic, Social Equity and Services), which will be meeting on July 31. “I don’t think there’s a need to wait,” she said. “We can do it now and encourage others to follow.”
In an additional statement issued on Tuesday, Fraga reiterated Council’s commitment to providing information and support to the community. “We recognize the importance of empowering our community through access to clear, accurate, and timely information,” she wrote. “We will continue working to ensure that all residents are well informed about their rights, available resources, and any legislative developments that may affect them. Together we can build a stronger, more resilient, and compassionate community for everyone.”