Newark, Hoboken among New Jersey cities sued by DOJ for obstructing immigration laws
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against four New Jersey cities – Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Paterson – accusing local officials of obstructing federal law and impeding efforts to combat illegal immigration through their sanctuary city policies. The lawsuit, brought by the Justice Department, alleges that these cities unlawfully obstructed federal authorities attempting to fight illegal immigration.
Mayors Ras Baraka of Newark, Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, Steven Fulop of Jersey City, and Andre Sayegh of Paterson, along with the respective city councils, are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The complaint states that the cities’ sanctuary policies are a direct challenge to federal immigration laws and authorities.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka recently made headlines when he was arrested and charged with trespassing outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in his city. Although the charges were dropped, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver was later charged with assault during a protest at Delaney Hall.
Baraka defended Newark’s policies, stating that the city is not obstructing public safety but rather upholding the Constitution and following the laws of the state. He emphasized that the city’s policies do not prevent law enforcement from carrying out their duties but rather refuse to turn the city into an arm of federal immigration enforcement.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth wrote that the local policies are designed to thwart federal immigration enforcement efforts, putting the safety of officers and communities at risk. The lawsuit comes in the wake of federal charges against Baraka and other Democratic politicians for their involvement in a clash at an ICE detention center.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressed that the Justice Department does not tolerate sanctuary cities obstructing immigration enforcement and hinted at more litigation to come. Mayor Baraka reiterated his commitment to protecting the rights of all residents and standing on constitutional grounds.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop also defended their cities’ sanctuary policies, vowing to vigorously defend their rights and fight against the Trump administration’s actions. The Trump administration has been targeting sanctuary jurisdictions across the country in its efforts to catch and deport criminal illegal immigrants, filing lawsuits against cities in New York, Colorado, and Illinois.
The legal battle between the Trump administration and sanctuary cities continues to escalate as both sides stand firm on their positions. The outcome of these lawsuits will have far-reaching implications for immigration enforcement and the rights of local communities.
