A 12-year-old Jersey City boy told the city council on Wednesday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests have left people in his community afraid.
“They’ve been breaking apart families and ruining lives,” he said. “For what? For a paycheck? For racism?”
Finnegan, a Jersey City resident, took the podium Wednesday at his local council meeting to object to the presence of ICE officers.
He said he’s watching the people around him live in fear.
ICE agents detained several people in Hudson County on Sunday near the Jersey City Heights and Hoboken border, according to witness statements to officials.
Three people were arrested, including two workers at local businesses.
One agent told Jersey City Councilman Jake G. Ephros that ICE officers can detain people without prior judicial approval.
“We don’t need a warrant, bro. Stop getting that into your head,” the agent said.
ICE defended the operation in a statement.
“On Feb. 1, ICE conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Jersey City, New Jersey, to arrest 10 illegal aliens including multiple illegal aliens who committed felonies by illegally re-entering the U.S.,” said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.
Ten individuals remain in custody pending removal, according to ICE official McLaughlin.
The Jersey City Police Department was notified of the targeted enforcement operation, according to McLaughlin.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences,” said McLaughlin. “Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
Jersey City, New Jersey’s second-largest city, is among more than a dozen municipalities in the Garden State identified by the federal government as sanctuary jurisdictions.
Finnegan, a Jersey City resident, spoke out object to the presence of ICE officers at his local council meeting.Dana Patton
Finnegan said he remembered when the family of a fellow student fled the country after one of the parents faced deportation. He said the community needs to do something to protect his fellow citizens.
“Without them, Jersey City wouldn’t have the same community as it does,” said Finnegan.
“We need to be doing something to stop our fellow citizens from being separated from their families on a weekly basis,” said Finnegan.
He also told city officials he would like to see more people addressing the homeless population in Jersey City by providing adequate housing and food.
Councilman Frank Gilmore asked Finnegan his age, then jokingly said, “Well, don’t rush to get thirteen. I’m proud of you.”
“Well done,” echoed Sean Gallagher, the city’s clerk, at the meeting. “It’s not easy doing public speaking, especially someone at your age. So, congrats.”
Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, a Democrat, signed an executive order last month to restrict ICE activity on city-owned properties, he announced at a press conference.
Solomon barred agents from operating in places like parking lots, garages, and parks in the second-largest city in the state.