It remains to be seen whether federal courts intervene, Save Jerseyans, but two New Jersey jurisdictions could face stiff consequences this holiday season if they persist in refusing to comply with federal immigration laws.
Last week, the Department of Justice sent strongly worded letters to 29 jurisdictions – including the City of Newark and Middlesex County, New Jersey – threatening to discontinue the receipt of public safety grants pursuant to the Justice Department’s Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program if the jurisdictions fail to verify compliance with Section 1373 of 8 U.S. Code by December 8, 2017.
Section 1373 prohibits all local and state governments from adopting policies inhibiting communication with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Customs and Border Protection concerning any and all “information regarding the immigration or citizenship status.”
“I urge all jurisdictions found to be potentially out of compliance in this preliminary review to reconsider their policies that undermine the safety of their residents. We urge jurisdictions to not only comply with Section 1373, but also to establish sensible and effective partnerships to properly process criminal aliens,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a statement released to the media.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark Field Office recently arrested 36 illegal aliens in Middlesex County after confirmed or suspected criminal aliens who were formerly incarcerated at the Middlesex County Jail (MCJ) but were released by the jail in defiance of ICE.
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