Morristown Council unanimously adopts resolution backing New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act

Morristown — The Town of Morristown Council voted unanimously Jan. 28 to adopt Resolution R43-2025 supporting the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, encouraging the state Legislature to pass and the governor to sign the measure that would codify the state's Immigrant Trust Directive.

The resolution, read in full at the meeting, cites the Immigrant Trust Act as "ITA s 36 72-dash a 49 87" and says it would expand protections so "no one need fear that a visit to the DMV, to enroll their children in school, to obtain lawfully entitled health care . . . could lead to their private information being shared with ICE." The council recorded a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

Why it matters: Supporters said state-level codification would reinforce local practices and reduce fear among immigrant residents who, they said, avoid public services because of enforcement concerns. Dozens of residents and advocates addressed the council during the public-comment period urging approval.

Several speakers described personal fear and disruption tied to recent enforcement activity. Maria Aguilar, introduced through an interpreter, described two decades in the U.S. and said her family's stability is threatened by recent raids: "We urge you to support the Immigrant Trust Act before the senate and the assembly in Trenton and to ensure that New Jersey continues to protect the most vulnerable, to protect our dignity, and to support immigrants in this community," she said.

Freddie Chacha, a Morristown resident who said he fled violence abroad and now runs a local construction company, told council members that seeing an ICE vehicle in a neighboring state has limited his travel to work outside Morristown: "Since the new year, I've seen mass deportations in California and I'm fearful for my family," he said, and asked the council to "heed the call of Wind of the Spirit and approve the resolution."

Council discussion framed the vote as an extension of prior local actions. Councilman (Pastor) Silva, who spoke as a longtime council member and as a representative of the Latino community, said the vote represented "a small victory going for the big victory at Trenton" and urged continued advocacy at the state level. Mayor Timothy P. Daugherty and other council members noted past municipal resolutions and state guidance as background for the action.

The resolution asks the Morristown town clerk to transmit copies to the Senate president, Assembly speaker, district legislative members, the bill's sponsors and the governor. The text that the council read cites sponsors identified in the resolution as "Assemblywoman Ellen Park and Senator Gordon Johnson."

Votes at a glance: On adoption of Resolution R43-2025 — supporting the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act — the council's roll call recorded the following votes: Councilwoman Foster: Yes; Councilman Iannacone: Yes; Councilwoman Lindsey: Yes; Councilman Polipchuk: Yes; Councilman Russo: Yes; Councilman Silva: Yes; Council President Umbriak: Yes. The mayor was present and spoke in support during the meeting.

What the resolution does and does not do: The council's resolution is a municipal expression of support urging state action; it does not change town ordinances or local law enforcement procedure. The adopted text references the existing state-level Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD) and calls on the Legislature to convert those policies into statute.

Public comment and process notes: Multiple speakers from the Wind of the Spirit Coalition and other community groups addressed the council during the public-comment period. An interpreter and an extended exchange about interpretation rules occurred during public comment; the council chair reiterated the council's rule that public speakers have a five-minute limit.

The council's adoption of the resolution concluded the item and the meeting moved on to other agenda business.