MONTVILLE - The social media post was to the point - "I stand with ICE."

It was purportedly the work of a local Republican group, which in a very Republican town seems not all that stunning.

However, the timing was less than sterling. It popped up soon after the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.

That post has "legs" - as they say in the news business.

It has prompted robust debate at the last two township committee meetings, the most recent of which was Tuesday night.

Debate, that is, among the audience, not the elected officials.

There is something surreal about this. ICE activities are an ongoing national issue,  but as of now, have had no direct impact on this Morris County town of 22,000.

Aside from the post, the local "link" is what is happening about 15 miles west in Roxbury, where ICE is reportedly looking to locate a detention facility.

Republicans, generally speaking, support ICE enforcement of immigration law. But that does not mean they want an ICE lockup - and all the negative publicity it would bring - in their town.

That's why the all-Republican council in Roxbury adopted a resolution opposing the idea.

On Tuesday night, critics of ICE wanted Montville's governing body to do likewise.

But here's the problem.

Municipal resolutions would have no effect on the power of the federal government to do what it wants.

A resolution does officialize the sentiments of town leaders - and that can please some members of the public. But it has no real power.

That reality did not stop the debate, which was, as expected, passionate.

Opponents of ICE stressed "inhumane" conditions at detention facilities and reports that most of those detained are not guilty or suspected of serious crimes. One woman said a man detained by ICE had been working in Montville as a waiter.

They insisted that it's the obligation of the committee to take a stand against that.

Supporters of ICE, meanwhile, talked about violent crimes committed by those here illegally and the overall point that a country must protect its borders.

It was pointed out that past Democratic presidents Clinton and Obama spoke out against illegal immigration. One woman said she came to the U.S. as a "legal immigrant," and as such, should have more rights than those who arrive illegally.

The debate ended, of course, with no resolution.

The mayor, Frank Cooney, has not yet returned a phone call.

But when this topic was raised the first time last month, Cooney, according to TAPInto Montville, said the infamous post was not made by the township's Republican club.

"The Montville Township GOP Republican Club did not have any post," he said as reported by TAPinto.

So, the mystery, like the debate, probably will continue.