Several weeks ago the Department of Homeland Security published a list of over 400 cities and other jurisdictions it called “sanctuary” cities and counties. There was almost immediate pushback from sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel. Some like Warren County New Jersey officials pledge full cooperation (isn’t that nice?) with ICE; others like Plainfield and Bloomfield pledged to protect its residents.
The list included New Haven and Hamden in Connecticut, where I used to live, towns in Massachusetts such as Amherst and Boston. The National Sheriffs Association stated that such a list threatened cooperation with law enforcement on real crimes. DHS pulled the list last week.
Several states have passed what are termed community trust acts that state when immigrants go to the police for help, they will not be turned over to ICE. Although New Jersey has such a directive from our Attorney General, it has not been codified as a matter of law. S3672/A4987 are still pending in New Jersey’s legislature.
Prayer for the Day
Deliver us, Lord, from those who would take our friends,
For we have known them and their children a long time;
Deliver us, Lord, from our fears of the unknown behind masks,
For they seek to destroy the communities we have built.
Help us remember, Lord, that our ancestors came not so long ago,
Seeking to build a new Nation and did so by sweat and toil.
In the name of the One who welcomes all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
When people fear that seeking help from police or emergency services might lead to deportation or separation from their families, our entire community becomes less safe.
Jenny Mundell, Mayor, Bloomfield, New Jersey
I, too, am an immigrant and from where I sit, my administration has no intention of participating with ICE on any raids in our schools, in our churches, we don't have a constitutional obligation to do that.
Adrian Mapp. Mayor, Plainfield, New Jersey
Warren County has always cooperated, and will continue to cooperate, with the DHS, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and all federal immigration laws.
Warren County Board of Commissioners statement
Do not oppress the foreigner, for you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Exodus 23:9