Elizabeth Council President Manny Grova, Jr. Reaffirms Elizabeth’s Commitment to Public Safety, Due Process, and Immigrant Communities
Elizabeth Council President Manny Grova, Jr. Reaffirms Elizabeth’s Commitment to Public Safety, Due Process, and Immigrant Communities
Elizabeth, NJ – March 9, 2026 – The City of Elizabeth Council President Manny Grova, Jr., on behalf of the City Council of Elizabeth as a whole, is addressing growing concerns within the community regarding recent actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In recent weeks, the Elizabeth City Council adopted a formal resolution expressing concern and calling for greater accountability and transparency in federal immigration enforcement actions impacting local residents.
The resolution stresses that trust between municipal government, local law enforcement, and community members is essential for effective public safety and civic engagement. It also raises concerns about policies and practices associated with ICE that have prompted questions nationwide regarding civil rights, due process, family separation, and the treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers.
“Elizabeth is an immigrant city,” said Council President Manny Grova, Jr. “Our families, workers, and small business owners are the backbone of this community. We support law and order, but we also expect fairness, due process, and common sense. When long‑time residents who are working, raising families, contributing to our city, and following the law are treated like criminals, it undermines trust in government and public safety for everyone.”
Elizabeth is New Jersey’s fourth-largest city and one of its most diverse immigrant communities. Council President Grova, son of immigrant parents, emphasized that residents should feel safe going to work, taking their children to school, attending court, and living their daily lives without fear of arbitrary targeting. While federal agencies have the authority to operate within the City, Elizabeth’s Police Department and Board of Education do not assist in civil immigration enforcement. Individuals are processed based on alleged criminal activity, not immigration status, and officers do not inquire about documentation during routine interactions. However, the City cannot legally prevent federal agencies from operating within its jurisdiction.
Recent incidents involving long-time residents detained on their way to work or court have created fear in the community. Many have lived and worked in Elizabeth for years, contributing to the local economy, paying taxes, and raising families. The Council believes enforcement should focus on serious criminal activity, not law-abiding residents whose only issue is immigration status.
In its resolution, the Council further urged U.S. Senator Cory Booker, U.S. Senator Andy Kim and Congressman Rob Menendez, Jr. to oppose additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security in light of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics reported in New Jersey and elsewhere, including incidents that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota (Renee Good and Alex Pretti). The resolution calls for a renewed commitment to due process, civil liberties, and equal treatment under the law.
The City Council remains committed to protecting the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of all Elizabeth residents while continuing to prioritize community trust and lawful governance.
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