New Jersey Working Families State Director Sue Altman issued the following statement criticizing the Hudson County Commissioners for approving a new contract with ICE despite unanimous public opposition:

The Hudson County Board of Commissioners represented New Jersey politics at its worst last night.

The commissioners decided to ignore the clear will of their constituents – represented by hundreds of residents participating in a staggering 12 hours of testimony – and approved a new contract that continues the county’s sorry history of complicity with the worst of our nation’s immigration policies.

Even as the national Democratic Party is calling for immigration reform, Hudson County Democrats are allying themselves with the worst policies of the Trump administration by agreeing to sign a new contract with a totally broken federal agency to perpetuate policies that rip families apart and divide our communities.

Rather than standing with advocates pushing for reforms, the Hudson County commissioners and voted to prioritize money over civil rights — all while condescending toward their own constituents.

We applaud the dozens of grassroots advocates who stood up for justice last night.

The people of Hudson County deserve a local Democratic Party that is in step with the mainstream, national Democratic Party fighting for the interests of immigrants and people of color — and not one that prioritizes profits over the clear will of their constituents.