Six New Jersey Democrats Call for ICE Official’s Removal

Spokesperson for ICE holds disturbing ties to anti-Muslim hate groups

PATERSON, NJ – Today, Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) wrote a letter to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Ronald Vitiello, demanding the removal of New Jersey ICE office spokesperson Emilio Karim Dabul after disturbing news reports surfaced of Dabul’s connections to Islamophobic groups.

“We write to express our deep concerns regarding the employment of Emilio Karim Dabul as the spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Jersey. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Dabul edited and wrote for anti-Muslim hate groups” the Members write. “Given Mr. Dabul’s record, we call for his immediate dismissal from ICE and consider his continued employment as tacit acceptance of his bigoted beliefs.”

First reported by the Star Ledger on August 3, Dabul has ties to numerous anti-Muslim groups including ACT for America, an organization which has “flood[ed] the American public with hate speech demonizing Muslims,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, and FrontPage, a far right publication whose founder, David Horowitz, is seen as a godfather for anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant bigotry in the United States. Dabul also helped edit for Freedom Center, another Horowitz organ the Star Ledger labels a “hate group.”

“Throughout his career, it appears Mr. Dabul has repeatedly chosen to ally himself with hate groups and has supported individuals that propagate anti-Muslim views. These associations and beliefs are outrageous,” the Members write. “While these disturbing beliefs might be tolerated in the Trump Administration, they have no place in New Jersey and should have no place in our civil service. As a result, we reiterate our call for his immediate dismissal from ICE,” the letter concludes.

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