ICE Conducts Raids In Princeton, Officials Express Concern

PRINCETON, NJ – Members of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement )ICE) conducted an early morning raid in Princeton on Wednesday.

The enforcement drew swift reactions from local officials who expressed concern over the nature of the raids.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) said she was “horrified” to learn about the raids, in which ICE agents did not identify themselves, drove into the community and stopped Hispanic/Latinx residents. The agents randomly interrogated them and demanded documentation, Watson Coleman said.

“This kind of conduct has absolutely no place in our community or our country. I am working to get more information from federal agencies involved in order to fully understand what occurred,” Watson Coleman said.

“Let me say this as clearly as I can: we value our immigrant communities. We welcome immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. Any actions of intimidation are unacceptable and despicable, and we will get to the bottom of it.”

ICE officials said they conducted “targeted enforcement” seeking two people and took one into custody.

"ERO Newark conducted a targeted enforcement action in Princeton July 10 directed at two specific noncitizen criminals, who were sought for apprehension. Deportation officers took custody of one offender, but were prevented from apprehending the second by outside parties," Emilio Dabul, ICE Spokesperson said in a statement.

"ERO does not conduct indiscriminate targeting of noncitizens. ERO Newark will continue to prioritize public safety by apprehending the most egregious noncitizen offenders."

Dabul also went on note that obstructing or interfering with an ERO enforcement is a crime and places all parties in jeopardy.

"Anyone obstructing an ERO operation may be subject to prosecution under federal law," Dabul said.

Mayor Mark Freda and Councilmembers said they were troubled to learn that federal action took place in the Municipality without prior information.

They said local police were not involved in the ICE raids and had no prior knowledge of it.

“It is crucial to note that ICE agents operate under federal jurisdiction, which supersedes the authority of the Princeton Police Department; thus, our local police cannot interfere with ICE activities,” Councilmembers said in a statement.

“However, we are actively reaching out to the ICE field office to determine what transpired and want to emphasize that our Police Department was not involved in the arrest(s) this morning, nor provided any assistance.”

Local officials said they have reached out to state and federal officials to get more information.

The Princeton Human Services Department is available to any resident seeking information about their rights. Their office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be contacted at 609-688- 2055 or emailed at [email protected].

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