County Executive Benson & Board of Commissioners Enact Policies Limiting ICE on County Property

Trenton, NJ – Mercer County Executive Dan Benson and the Board of County Commissioners announced that they have enacted new policies limiting the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to access and use County property to conduct immigration enforcement operations.

“From Minneapolis to Delaney Hall, ICE has repeatedly shown a total disregard for the law and for the constitutional rights of citizens and non-citizens alike,” said Benson. “We respect the Federal Government’s authority to enforce immigration law, but we will not allow them to use County properties to harass our families.”

The new policy, issued through both an Executive Order from Benson and a resolution by the Board of Commissioners, bans ICE and CBP from accessing or using non-public areas of County property to enforce immigration law, unless they have obtained a judicial warrant or judicial order. It does not limit the enforcement of other criminal laws on County property.

The County government does not have legal authority to limit ICE’s use of properties and spaces that are open to the general public, such as County parks or County roads.

In February, Governor Sherrill issued an executive order that enacted restrictions on the use of State government properties for immigration enforcement. Camden, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Passaic Counties have all enacted similar resolutions, as have many municipalities across New Jersey.

“With this resolution, we’re sending a clear message that everyone in our community can safely interact with County government, and access County services, without fear,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Terrance Stokes. “ICE’s actions threaten the fabric of our community, and we will take whatever steps we can, within the bounds of the law, to protect our residents.”

“Just days ago, we saw federal agents pepper-spray Senator Kim and turn Governor Sherrill and the NJ Department of Health away from inspecting Delaney Hall in Newark,” said Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Cathleen Lewis. “If the Trump Administration refuses to allow our state’s leaders to step foot in their facilities, why would we allow them to use County properties for their operations? We will continue to do everything we can to protect our residents, because they have a right to feel safe on our County properties.”

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