Re: Statement from Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr.

The statement below is by Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. regarding ICE operations in Camden County.

“For months we have seen the devastation wrought by the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the country, and right here in Camden County. This federal agency has wandered far from its mission to promote homeland security and public safety. Their agents lack training, leadership, and accountability, and instead of taking dangerous, non-citizens with criminal convictions into custody, they are often employing oppressive tactics reminiscent of the Gestapo. At least two American citizens have lost their lives at the hands of ICE agents, and thousands more have been separated from their families, with their lives upended.

Right here in Camden County, ICE has torn families apart, hardworking members of our community have been wrongfully detained, and children have been left terrified to go to their school bus stop. In many of these instances, ICE agents have detained our residents without a warrant. Our residents and visitors deserve to feel safe when they are playing with their families in our parks, or visiting one of our agencies, or attending an event on county property.

As such, until cult leader and traitor, Donald Trump, brings reform to this agency, ICE agents are not permitted on Camden County property without a judicial warrant. This includes all county-owned parks, the Camden County Correctional Facility, Camden County College, Camden County Technical Schools, and all county-owned or leased administrative buildings.

This resolution will be formally introduced on April 16 at our monthly Board of Commissioners meeting.”

###