Trenton, New Jersey, wants to prohibit local police from assisting ICE

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Trenton’s City Council is seeking to prevent the city’s police department from assisting with some federal immigration enforcement. The proposed ordinance was introduced during their Tuesday meeting.

City Council President Jenna L. Figueroa Kettenburg said a lot of work went into the proposal, including a review by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. She also said two virtual meetings were held with advocates.

“Not only did we entertain their input, but we also incorporated a large percentage of their recommendations into this final version,” she said. “We’re acutely aware of the concerns of our residents regarding these issues, but we’ve also needed to balance our objectives so as not to unduly hamper the Trenton Police Department in the discharge of their overall duties to ensure public safety.”

Figueroa Kettenburg also said the council held two virtual meetings with advocates and incorporated “a large percentage” of their ideas into the final proposal.

Ana Paola Pazmiño, executive director of Resistencia en Accion NJ, took part in the meetings. Pazmino said the ideas they offered were inspired by a similar policy proposed in Pasadena, California.

The advocates said they are pleased to see the ordinance proposed and want to work with City Council to include a couple of recommendations that were left out. In addition, Pazmiño and those from the group want police to be prohibited from acting on immigration detainers, because there is no due process involved.

“They’re not given the chance to go to court,” Pazmiño said. “They’re not given the chance to even talk to a lawyer or talk to a family member. They’re literally just handed off to ICE.”

The advocates also don’t want police to form a perimeter around areas where federal immigration authorities are carrying out their actions, she added. They hope to bring these ideas to the City Council hearing on the proposal, scheduled for June 4.

Under the proposal, Trenton Police would be prohibited from aiding immigration authorities with civil enforcement or using city resources for that purpose.

In addition, before allowing immigration authorities onto city property, police would require a judicial warrant, as opposed to an administrative warrant, which is issued by a judge within the Department of Homeland Security.

Police will be allowed to assist federal officials in criminal operations and emergency situations.

The proposed ordinance is described as an extension of a series of state laws that Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed in late March, including the codification of the Immigrant Trust Directive.

Figueroa Kettenburg described the proposal as “probably the most comprehensive ordinance presented” that addresses immigration enforcement issues.

“Other municipalities are offering up resolutions in support of the state legislation,” she said. “However, we were able to come up with an ordinance.”

Camden County Commissioners approved a resolution at their April meeting that prohibits all county employees and departments from assisting with federal civil immigration enforcement.