Hunterdon County officials say county has limited role in federal immigration actions; explain staff protocols and warming-center response
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Summary
At the Feb. 17 meeting, county counsel and the director told residents the county does not control federal immigration enforcement, outlined how staff should respond to outside agencies seeking access to restricted areas, and described a temporary Code Blue warming center that served seven people during recent extreme cold.
Hunterdon County officials told residents on Feb. 17 that the county has little authority over federal immigration enforcement and described internal procedures staff should follow if federal officers seek access to county facilities.
Director Lanza opened the meeting by stressing the county’s limited role in immigration matters, saying the Board of County Commissioners "does not have jurisdiction over federal immigration policy" and that "to date, no county agency has been asked to assist with federal civil immigration enforcement." He also told the meeting he had "absolutely no knowledge of any immigration detention facility planned for Hunterdon County."
County Counsel Katrina Doyle outlined steps county staff have taken to protect confidential areas and sensitive information. Doyle said departments conducted security audits, implemented updates where needed, and that "employees have been clearly instructed not to permit anyone access to restricted areas and to contact my office immediately if access is sought." She added that, "should federal immigration officers seek to undertake an enforcement action on county property, my office would take a lead in reviewing any legal documentation and managing their response."
During the public-comment period, resident Guy Citron of Tewksbury Township told commissioners he had heard "reports of human and civil rights abuses connected to ICE activity in and around Flemington" and asked what the county would do to ensure civil-rights protections and due process. Citron said residents are growing fearful about attending work, school and public life.
Lanza and counsel responded on the record to those concerns. Lanza reiterated the county’s limited statutory authority and said state law governs how local law enforcement interacts with federal agencies. Doyle said she could not disclose specific security protocols for safety reasons but confirmed staff have been provided guidance about how to respond to requests for access to nonpublic areas and that her office would review any legal paperwork presented by outside agencies.
Separately, Lanza updated the board on a temporary Code Blue warming center the county stood up during the recent extreme cold. The center opened at Building No. 1 at the Route 12 County Complex beginning Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. and operated through Feb. 9, with services extended during continued cold. Lanza said the county provided motel placements and other accommodations as needed, and that "seven individuals used the warming center," alongside snacks, bottled water and public Wi‑Fi.
The director said the county coordinated notifications with municipal officials and the state Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Human Services when motel placement was not available. Lanza said the county intends to continue using a pop-up model for extreme cold events and is seeking a community partner for a longer-term shared Code Blue solution.
The board did not take further action on immigration policy at the meeting; Lanza and counsel framed the response as procedural and protective steps staff have already implemented.