Somerset, NJ - The lawless and authoritarian behavior we have seen playing out in the streets of Minneapolis is now playing out in our own backyard. The raids by ICE in New Brunswick over the weekend are reprehensible and represent an outright attack on vulnerable communities by the federal government. As I have said consistently, in the Assembly Public Safety & Preparedness Committee, where I am Chairman, these masked agents are lawless and put our communities at risk. And it is now incumbent upon the State of New Jersey, including the Legislature, to take swift action to protect our people. That starts by passing the two immigration bills pocket vetoed on January 20th, and sending them to Governor Sherrill, who has indicated she is open to signing them.

Until then, I strongly encourage residents in my district as well as across the State to mobilize. To take a page from our fellow Americans in Minneapolis, and come together as a community and form rapid response teams. If you see masked agents, take your phone out and record it; if you see ICE patrolling, inform your neighbors and get the word out, and above all else, keep your eyes open for anything that does not look right. These actions are all protected under the Constitution and are essential in times like these. I will support these operations in any way I can, while also pushing for legislative action. Let me finish by being crystal clear: I stand with our immigrant communities against this cruel war on them.