"New Jersey Lawmakers Push to Clamp Down on ICE Cooperation as Governor-elect Prepares to Take Office"
Lawmakers in New Jersey are racing against time to codify the state's limits on cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a fast-moving lame duck session. The proposed legislation, which would require that individuals be convicted of a crime before their information is shared with federal authorities, aims to close loopholes that allow people to be funneled into deportation proceedings before their cases are resolved.
Critics argue that this dynamic undermines due process, discourages crime reporting, and in some cases prevents courts from adjudicating charges. Assemblymember Ellen Park, who sponsored two of the three bills, stated, "Our equal protections, our due process has been thrown out the window." The push for reform comes as Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill takes office, with lawmakers eager to avoid potential legal challenges.
Under current law, ICE officials are allowed to share information with federal authorities if a person is charged with certain violent offenses or is subject to a final order of removal. However, this exception has been criticized by immigrant rights advocates, who claim it allows people to be detained and deported while their charges are later dropped. "ICE was there to pick the person up," said Katy Sastre, executive director of First Friends of New Jersey and New York.
The proposed legislation would restrict police stops based on suspected immigration status, designate sensitive locations where staff could not assist ICE, and bar immigration enforcement in certain settings. Advocates argue that these changes are necessary to address growing concerns among immigrant communities and eroding trust in law enforcement.
While some lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the need for such reforms, others, including Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago, have spoken in favor of the legislation. Santiago described a recent case where he had asked ICE to hold off on deporting a person facing first-degree sexual assault charges, only to be told that they would be deported within the week.
The package of bills has passed the Judiciary Committee vote along party lines and will be discussed further at an Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing. If signed into law by Governor-elect Sherrill, the changes could have significant implications for immigrant communities in New Jersey, potentially preventing wrongful deportations and ensuring that individuals receive equal justice under the law.
Lawmakers in New Jersey are racing against time to codify the state's limits on cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a fast-moving lame duck session. The proposed legislation, which would require that individuals be convicted of a crime before their information is shared with federal authorities, aims to close loopholes that allow people to be funneled into deportation proceedings before their cases are resolved.
Critics argue that this dynamic undermines due process, discourages crime reporting, and in some cases prevents courts from adjudicating charges. Assemblymember Ellen Park, who sponsored two of the three bills, stated, "Our equal protections, our due process has been thrown out the window." The push for reform comes as Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill takes office, with lawmakers eager to avoid potential legal challenges.
Under current law, ICE officials are allowed to share information with federal authorities if a person is charged with certain violent offenses or is subject to a final order of removal. However, this exception has been criticized by immigrant rights advocates, who claim it allows people to be detained and deported while their charges are later dropped. "ICE was there to pick the person up," said Katy Sastre, executive director of First Friends of New Jersey and New York.
The proposed legislation would restrict police stops based on suspected immigration status, designate sensitive locations where staff could not assist ICE, and bar immigration enforcement in certain settings. Advocates argue that these changes are necessary to address growing concerns among immigrant communities and eroding trust in law enforcement.
While some lawmakers have expressed skepticism about the need for such reforms, others, including Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago, have spoken in favor of the legislation. Santiago described a recent case where he had asked ICE to hold off on deporting a person facing first-degree sexual assault charges, only to be told that they would be deported within the week.
The package of bills has passed the Judiciary Committee vote along party lines and will be discussed further at an Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing. If signed into law by Governor-elect Sherrill, the changes could have significant implications for immigrant communities in New Jersey, potentially preventing wrongful deportations and ensuring that individuals receive equal justice under the law.
. I get why they want to close loopholes, but the way it's worded is kinda tricky 
. They're saying people can be funneled into deportation without being convicted of a crime? That doesn't sound right 
. And what about due process? Isn't that supposed to mean getting a fair trial and all that? 
. I mean, isn't the whole point of law enforcement to keep everyone safe? Why can't they just do their job without worrying about sharing info with ICE? 
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. Like Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago, who spoke out against the deportation of someone facing serious charges 
. And advocates for immigrant communities are pushing back hard too 
. It's just a shame that this is happening now, when Sherrill is getting ready to take office 
.
️. But one thing's for sure: I'll be keeping an eye on this one 
. We need to make sure everyone feels safe reporting crimes without fear of deportation 
. The current loopholes are problematic, and we should fix them ASAP 
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Let's get that legislation passed and ensure everyone receives due process 
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So I'm seeing this proposed bill in NJ trying to crack down on ICE cooperation... seems like a good move to me 
, especially with Governor-elect Sherrill taking office and all. Those loopholes are pretty sketchy - it's like they're putting people in deportation proceedings before their cases even get resolved? That's just not right 
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. It's like, we need to make sure everyone feels safe coming forward with info... even if it means making some tough policy changes 
. It's about time we started prioritizing equal justice for all, not just those who can afford to hire lawyers 
. Fingers crossed it passes and becomes law soon! 
. We've seen so many instances of people being detained and deported while their cases are still pending, it's just not fair. On one hand, I get why lawmakers want to create more safeguards for immigrant communities; they're often the most vulnerable ones 
.
. So it's a delicate balance between protecting the rights of immigrants and ensuring public safety 
. Overall, I think this is a necessary conversation to have, but we need to be careful not to create more problems than we solve 
! It's about time we start prioritizing due process over convenience for ICE 
. I mean, can you imagine being detained and deported while your charges are dropped? That's just crazy talk 
. The fact that people are still reporting crimes because they're afraid of getting scooped up by ICE is just heartbreaking 
. We need to build trust with our communities, not drive them further away from the system 
. It's about time we start treating everyone equally under the law, regardless of their immigration status 
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It's like they want us to live in fear of being deported without even having a chance to fight back.