Residents urge Princeton Council to support Immigrant Trust Act resolution

Dozens of people filled the municipal building Monday night to urge the Princeton Council to adopt a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act, a proposed state law that would limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

For more than two hours, speakers, including day laborers, university researchers, clergy members, educators, and children of immigrants, offered emotional testimony describing the fear gripping local immigrant families and the urgent need for leaders to take a public stand.

While the proposed law has not yet advanced in Trenton, supporters said local resolutions are essential to building pressure for its passage and to signaling that towns like Princeton will not willingly participate in immigration enforcement. More than a dozen communities have already adopted a resolution, including Trenton, Paterson, Flemington, Madison, Morristown, Plainfield, Atlantic City, and Bloomfield.

“For the first time in years, our community is living in fear again,” said Catherine Gonzalez, a Princeton native and first-generation college graduate. She recalled being in fifth grade when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided her neighborhood.

“I could see the pain my parents felt and could feel the deep sadness within our community. Members of our community were taken. These were people we knew, people who worked hard and were in search of a better life,” Gonzalez said. “As a child, I knew there was a real possibility my parents could be next. I’m thankful that’s not my story. However, it is the story of so many children within our community and in other communities around the state and this country.”

People should not have to live in fear, Gonzalez said, adding that the Princeton Council has the ability through the resolution to reassure the community it supports them.

“I understand the concern that if the town passes this resolution, we are becoming targets for ICE. However, I walk around daily as a target. Members of this community walk around as targets. We are all targets,” Gonzalez said. “By passing the resolution, you continue the commitment you have to your community to protect the rights and civil liberties of our immigrant community and ensure a just and equitable environment for all, free from discrimination and fear of deportation.”

The Immigrant Trust Act would codify into state law limits on how much local and county law enforcement agencies can assist federal immigration efforts. The bill would prohibit voluntary information sharing with ICE and restrict local agencies from detaining people on civil immigration warrants, for example.

Advocates of the bill say many of these provisions already reflect current practices under the 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive issued by the New Jersey attorney general, but that turning them into law is necessary due to current national immigration policy.

A Princeton resident who gave only her first name, Allison, challenged comments made by council members at a June meeting suggesting a resolution would be nonbinding. She singled out remarks from Councilwoman Mia Sacks, who said a resolution would be “just words.”

“Contrary to Ms. Sacks’ statement, words are powerful,” Allison said, adding that words send a message to the communities in and around Princeton, and to the rest of the state and the nation.

“Dismissing this resolution as just words is an insult to those who have worked and continue to work with the immigrant community, as well as to immigrants themselves,” Allison said. “We are telling you that we need you to pass this resolution. We are the community affected.”

Allison said residents are asking elected officials to commit to keeping the community safe. She asked why local leaders are hesitant to make a public statement in support of immigrants through a formal resolution.

Immigrant residents expressed fear of being picked up by federal agents, especially as funding for ICE increases.

Resident Chris Hedges called on officials and members of the community to commit to acts of nonviolent civil disobedience to prevent ICE from entering schools and stores in Princeton.

Some speakers said the resolution is important for public safety so people do not fear interacting with police or reporting crimes.

Maral Sahebjame, a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University, said the resolution is a gesture of care. “The language of the resolution contains values and principles shared by countries across the world,” she said. “Passing this resolution would set a new tone, language and culture for Princeton, including its law enforcement bodies.”

Council members did not engage in discussion with members of the public during the public comment period, but said after that portion of the meeting that a resolution remains under consideration. Officials said a municipal committee is reviewing the wording of a draft resolution.

“We just want to make sure we are very thoughtful and deliberate on the wording of the resolution to ensure the wording will not lead to unintended consequences,” Councilwoman Leticia Fraga said. “We, Princeton, are committed, and we have been leading with action.”