Steinhardt: The NJGOP Is Standing Up For Law Enforcement and Public Safety
The NJGOP Is Standing Up For Law Enforcement and Public Safety
For Immediate Release
Trenton, NJ – Earlier this year, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration ordered local law enforcement officials to stop cooperating with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents when detaining criminals who are also illegal immigrants.
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested more than 50 illegal immigrants and issued wanted posters for several more who were intentionally released from prisons under the Governor’s Administration’s directive. Among those released were two men charged with domestic violence and a man arrested for alleged sexual assault on a minor child.
“Government can’t afford to be reckless. It can’t pay for progressive platitudes with the health, safety and welfare of battered women and sexually abused children. This is Phil Murphy putting his political agenda ahead of the public’s safety. It’s wrong and it must end. The Governor and the Attorney General should encourage cooperation between law enforcement agencies at all levels. Instead, they weaponize the Attorney General’s office and are taking aim at our County Sheriffs. Millions of innocent New Jerseyans depend on Law Enforcement to keep them safe from predators, drug dealers and violent criminals. We cheapen all of their lives when we play politics with them.”
The NJGOP has been actively encouraging every municipality and county to pass a resolution to put public safety first. The NJGOP has offered to provide local elected officials whatever tools we have to assert their right to govern locally.
In addition, the following GOP elected officials have been fighting back:
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove:
“The politics of open borders and establishing ‘sanctuary’ for those who break our laws continue to tie the hands of law enforcement officials to the detriment of public safety while at the same time undermining the rule of law, which is still cherished by many Americans.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe of the 10th Legislative District:
“Because our state chooses to arrogantly disregard federal law this man is now evading immigration authorities and putting our residents at risk,” said Senator Holzapfel. “We must not allow criminals such as this to slip through the cracks of our immigration system, especially those who are accused of assaulting children.”
Senator Joe Pennacchio:
“We have a sexual predator on the run due to Governor Murphy’s dangerous sanctuary state policies,” said Pennacchio (R-26) said. “It’s absurd that we now have a federal manhunt for an accused child rapist simply because the jail wasn’t allowed hold him for ICE under orders from the Murphy Administration.”
“It was an honor and a privilege to be invited to the White House to discuss the ongoing border crisis and how the sanctuary state policies throughout the nation, including New Jersey, have impacted law enforcement agencies and their efforts to protect our communities, fight drug addiction and apprehend illegal immigrants with criminal histories,”
“I am disappointed by the decision today (Sept. 27) by the Attorney General’s Office on the 287(g) program. We have been trying to work with the state because I believe this program is vital to the protection of our county residents and visitors…”I have never been told in my 35 years in law enforcement not to work with another law enforcement agency. Working in connection with the Cape May County Freeholder Board, we plan to take this matter to court and I will take any avenue available to me to protect the residents of our County.”
“I can’t say I am surprised by the decision by the Attorney General but believe me this is not the end of this story. We will take this matter all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. The 287(g) program protects Cape May County residents and as freeholder director, I will do what is in the best interests of our residents to protect them and I’m proud to work with Sheriff Nolan on this matter…”We believe the AG does not have the authority to force us to violate our oath of office to comply with the laws of the United States.”
“It’s a disappointing day for law enforcement in the State of New Jersey, as a result of the directive issued by the Attorney General to put an end to all 287(g) agreements in New Jersey. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the major arrest of 54 immigrants who had been released from local jails instead of being turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
