Princeton council adopts resolution backing Immigrant Trust Act; community groups press for joint rapid-response plan

The Princeton Mayor and Council voted to adopt a resolution supporting passage of the Immigrant Trust Act and urged state lawmakers to act, a move praised by local immigrant-rights groups but followed by repeated requests from residents for a concrete local safety plan. Councilman David Cohen moved the resolution; the council adopted it by voice vote after extended public comment.

The resolution signals municipal support for the state-level Immigrant Trust Act and asks the state legislature and governor to enact protections limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Community organizers and residents came to the meeting to both applaud the vote and press the council to cooperate with Resistencia (community organization) and other local groups on a “rapid-response” safety plan should Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations occur in Princeton.

Why it matters: speakers said the resolution is an important symbolic and political step but does not itself create operational protections for people in Princeton. Several speakers described recent detentions and the need for a coordinated, real-time response — a hotline, multilingual rapid response teams, and formal protocols linking municipal services to community organizations.

Council discussion and action Councilman David Cohen introduced the resolution in support of the Immigrant Trust Act and opened the floor to comment. Councilman Newland delivered remarks in support of the measure, framing it as "a shield for an entire community" and saying the council should choose "unity over ego" in protecting residents. After public comment the council took a voice vote and the measure passed; council members said they intend to work with community stakeholders going forward.

Public comment and requests for next steps Dozens of residents, organizers and faith leaders spoke during the public-comment period. Ana Paula Pazmino, identified as an executive director, thanked the council and said the resolution was a victory while calling for “tangible protections” including a safety plan and an alert system when ICE activity occurs. Asma Alhuni, identified as an organizer with Resistencia, said Resistencia staffs a 24-hour multilingual rapid-response hotline and requested the council publicly share and integrate that hotline into municipal emergency procedures.

Other speakers described recent detentions of community members; several said people were detained after being approached by unmarked vehicles or individuals impersonating officers. Resistencia and allied organizations asked the council to meet with them to develop a community action plan that would include: clear public guidance on who to call during suspected enforcement actions, multilingual Know-Your-Rights workshops tied to actionable resources, and mechanisms to coordinate legal and social-service support for affected families.

Council response and limits of municipal authority Council members repeatedly acknowledged the limits of municipal authority over federal immigration enforcement and reiterated that the resolution is principally a statement urging state action. Council members and staff also emphasized that the Princeton Police Department and the Department of Human Services provide services to immigrants and that misinformation can cause panic; at the same time, several council members expressed willingness to meet with community groups to develop practical responses.

What remains unresolved Speakers pressed for specifics: whether the borough has a real-time point of contact to respond to ICE activity; whether municipal staff will publicly share and integrate community hotlines; and whether the town will allocate resources to help families affected by detentions (organizers requested help publicizing a GoFundMe and asked about legal assistance). Council members asked groups to continue engagement; multiple community leaders said they will follow up to seek a concrete, collaborative safety plan.

Ending note The council’s adoption of the resolution was the meeting’s clearest formal action on immigration policy; community leaders framed it as the start of further work to translate that statement into local procedures and supports for residents who may be subject to federal enforcement actions.