Federal Immigration Customs Enforcement officers arrested two men at a house on Wiggins Street last Thursday just after 5 a.m., Princeton officials said on Monday night.
The agents were reportedly standing outside the home, at 5 a.m., waiting for someone to exit the apartment.
Local officials expressed concerns about the incident at the Princeton Council Monday night, and said the town’s department of human services is working to support the immigrant community in the wake of the raid.
“Several people were detained. Officials went to St. Paul’s Spanish language mass, informing people what their rights are, and how to respond to activity. More than 200 people were there,” Councilwoman Heather Howard said. “Fear is spreading throughout the community. The mayor of Trenton recently expressed concern about activity in Trenton. We want people to know human services has been active, and is a source for people dealing with this.
The human services department is distributing information to immigrants about their rights and what to do in the event of an ICE raid. The Princeton Police Department, the human services department, and the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund have been in touch with the other residents on Wiggins Street to offer assistance and support.
Princeton officials are advising undocumented immigrants to remain calm, keep personal and important documents in a safe and private place, and not carry a home country passport or a consular card that could raise flags if the document is provided to an ICE agent as form of identification.
Undocumented immigrants are being told to show their Mercer County identification cards when asked for identification. Cards can be obtained at the Princeton Public Library on Thursdays from noon until 2 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 232. Applicants for id cards must bring proof of identification and proof of address in the form of a lease, utility bill, or bank statement.
In the event of a raid, residents should contact the Princeton Human Services office at 609-688-2055 or stop by One Monument Drive in Princeton during weekday office hours. The department can link family members of a detained person to community organizations and help locate family members in detention centers.
Princetonians, legal or otherwise, aren’t exempt from Federal law–despite Liz Lemmon’s promises.
“Princeton officials” are advising people on how to evade the law? Un-freaking-believable. Maybe they can open a hotline to advise people on where to stash their drugs, or what route to take home to avoid the DUI checkpoint, or how best to use a stolen credit card. What does the town plan to do to “support” other types of criminals?
Jesus. Princeton is advising all illegal residents on how to hide from the United States Government, 100% agreed with Un-freaking-believable. What a joke, why don´t we start sending Princeton Church members down to the border to help build illegal immigrants a tunnel!
Impeach Liz
Liz Lempert is running again. Four more years.
Of this? No thanks.
It is my understanding that ICE goes for people who have a deportation order and who have not appeared in court as requested. Sometimes, they go for people who have committed certain crimes such as domestic violence, driving with a fake driver’s license, presenting a fake id, and driving under the influence. At least, that is my understanding, they do not go randomly looking for people.
The writer Knapp incorrectly wrote immigrants instead of ILLEGAL immigrants. BTW, what about the people waiting to enter the U.S. legally? Do they have rights?