Early this morning, residents in the Bayard Street neighborhood awoke to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Community members, understandably concerned, gathered at the scene. I responded personally, along with members of the Trenton Police Department (TPD).

First and foremost, I want to reaffirm what I have said many times before: Trenton is a city that values and protects all of its residents. Our police department will continue to uphold the New Jersey Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive. That means TPD does not question people about immigration status, does not enforce civil immigration law, and does not assist ICE in carrying out raids simply because someone may be undocumented.

The role of TPD this morning was limited to maintaining public safety and preventing escalation. Officers on the scene were directed to follow the Immigrant Trust Directive strictly, and no direct assistance was intended to help ICE in carrying out its immigration enforcement.

I want to be clear: ICE resources should be directed toward removing truly dangerous individuals — those who commit violent crimes and threaten our communities. They should be focused on the “bad guys,” not on hardworking men and women who are here to provide for their families and contribute to our economy.

At the same time, I hear and deeply respect the concerns raised by members of our immigrant community and advocacy organizations. If ICE carries out enforcement activity in our city, they must do so in a way that respects the constitutional and due process rights of all individuals. That is why I have already reached out to the Attorney General’s Office for clear guidance on how Trenton — and other municipalities — should balance the need to ensure public safety while also safeguarding the rights and dignity of immigrant residents.

Trenton is not in the business of aiding immigration raids. Our focus is and will remain on protecting residents from crime, keeping neighborhoods safe, and building trust with the community we serve. I will continue to closely monitor any such enforcement activity in our community.

W. Reed Gusciora

Mayor, City of Trenton