ICE Seizes Landscapers In Belleville, Officials Say (UPDATED)

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Federal immigration authorities took several landscaping workers into custody in Belleville on Thursday, the town’s mayor said.

Frank Vélez issued a statement about the situation, reporting that multiple ICE operations took place on Rutgers Street and Van Reyper Place.

Patch reached out to ICE seeking more information. We will update this article with any reply we receive.

Vélez’s full statement follows below:

"Earlier today, I was made aware of multiple ICE operations that took place on Rutgers Street and Van Reyper Place. Based on information provided by witnesses at both locations, multiple landscaping workers were taken into ICE custody. ICE has also confirmed its presence in Belleville today.

"As municipal officials, we are not notified in advance of ICE enforcement activity. Additionally, the Belleville Police Department is not involved in federal immigration enforcement operations and is not provided with operational details by ICE.

"I have been in communication with Senator Cory Booker, Senator Andy Kim, Congresswoman Analilia Mejia, State Senator Britnee Timberlake and their offices and will continue working to gather additional information. I will provide updates to the community as they become available.

"I understand the stress and anxiety that news like brings to so many. Belleville is a community that cares for all of its residents. My commitment is to communicate directly and transparently with our community so that accurate, verified information is shared as promptly as possible today and always."

'WE WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING'

On Friday, two state lawmakers from the region also commented on Thursday's activity in town.

"No one deserves to be targeted, intimidated or removed from their community through unlawful or discriminatory practices," Sen. Timberlake said. "We will continue fighting for their safety, dignity and due process."

"To be clear, I denounce any constitutional abuse of power and any violation of human rights, and will continue deploying every available strategy to stop this abuse of federal authority," Timberlake said.

"If you witness ICE operations or believe someone is being unlawfully targeted, it is important to respond safely and know your rights," she added. "The New Jersey Department of Human Services has issued clear guidance on what to do, including how to document incidents, report concerns, and connect affected families with legal and humanitarian support."

Assemblywoman Carmen Morales said she was “deeply disturbed” to hear reports that landscapers working in Belleville were detained during recent ICE activity.

“As both the Assemblywoman representing Belleville and a Belleville resident, this hits close to home,” Morales said. “Every member of our community deserves to be treated with dignity and afforded their constitutional rights.”

SANCTUARY CITIES

Meanwhile, federal authorities continue to criticize local officials who oppose ICE operations and support "sanctuary city" policies.

Earlier this year, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed an “ICE Out of Essex County” resolution. It was officially implemented on July 9.

The new rules prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) from operating on non-public areas of Essex County properties without a judicial warrant or court order. They also prohibit using county resources to assist with civil immigration enforcement.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement that criticizes the county’s new rules.

“When sanctuary politicians refuse to cooperate with ICE law enforcement, they put the safety of the public and our officers at risk,” acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis insisted. “Sanctuary policies like this make New Jersey communities less safe.”

Some local residents have agreed with federal authorities and said they support ICE in their community.

"Good, finally, the laws being enforced," one person commented on the mayor's social media post. "Hope it is a good example for local government."

"So in other words: federal laws are being enforced," another person wrote.

"Nobody likes to see families broken up but everyone has to be held to the same standards," another commenter said. "I wish more of them would go about establishing citizenship the right way."

Other community members said they want greater oversight of ICE agents and more empathy for immigrants.

"Many of these people that are being arrested are law-abiding citizens that work sometimes two jobs just to support their family and they contribute to the community," a commenter wrote. "Hopefully they have due process and their documentation verified."

Another person who identified as a retired law enforcement officer said that many people don't understand the actual job description of ICE agents – and how they have changed.

"What you are seeing today is not the job I was trained to do," he commented. "We arrested drug dealers, murderers, car thieves, human traffickers, people guilty of assault. Not innocent women, children, soldiers and priests."

Another person suggested that compassion and accountability don’t have to be opposites.

"We can support public safety while also recognizing the humanity of people who are simply trying to survive and provide for their loved ones," they wrote.

• Related: Feds Criticize Essex County For Not Cooperating With ICE, Offering Immigrants 'Sanctuary'

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