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Hudson County commissioners add and back resolution supporting New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act after residents cite ICE encounters
Summary
Residents urged the Hudson County Board to support Senate Bill S3672, the proposed Immigrant Trust Act, citing armed, masked individuals at Braddock Park and a recent ICE detention; the Board added the resolution to the agenda and approved the consent agenda that included it. Speakers asked the County to investigate park encounters and expand legal aid and rapid-response supports for families.
The Hudson County Board of County Commissioners added and indicated support for a resolution backing New Jersey Senate Bill No. S3672 — the proposed Immigrant Trust Act — at its Sept. 25, 2025 regular meeting after a string of residents described local immigration‑enforcement encounters and asked the County to act.
Board counsel Edward J. Florio told the panel the item would be added as Resolution No. 32, described on the agenda as “supporting New Jersey Senate Bill No. S3672, establishing protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies, designating New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act.” Public commenters urged the Board to pass the measure and to investigate recent incidents in County spaces.
Why it matters: residents and community groups told the Board that recent enforcement actions have chilled trust in local government and policing and argued that the County should adopt clear rules to prevent federal immigration enforcement from disrupting schools, parks and essential services. “This act protects immigrants when they interact with government agencies and reinforces the separation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement,” Courtney Walker, a Jersey City resident, told the commissioners.
During the public‑comment period several speakers described what they said were troubling enforcement encounters. Walker recounted seeing “six armed individuals” in Braddock Park, some with covered faces and visible holsters, and said a Hudson County Sheriff’s officer on scene “chose to question the person filming rather than the armed group.” Another commenter described a recent detention in Jersey City’s Heights area in which, she said, ICE agents detained a resident “while his child sat in the car” near Christ Hospital.
Many callers asked the Board not only to pass the resolution but to take follow‑up steps: investigate the Braddock Park incident, put in place written protocols for County facilities when federal agents are present, expand Know‑Your‑Rights trainings and increase county‑supported legal assistance and emergency social services for families affected by detentions. “Supporting this resolution is about both public safety and human decency,” said Sarah, who identified herself as a Jersey City resident and a PTA vice president.
Board action and next steps: the Clerk moved to approve the meeting’s consent agenda, which included the added items; roll‑call votes recorded commissioners Aponte‑Lipski, Baselice, Cedeño, Cifelli, Kopacz, Rodriguez, Walker and Chairman Romano as voting in the affirmative. Commissioner William O’Dea stated he was abstaining on a specific consent subitem (16A) but said he voted yes on the remaining consent items. Chairman Romano indicated the Board would pass the added resolution that evening.
Several commissioners pressed administration staff to follow up. Commissioner O’Dea requested that the County convene One New Jersey and other legal‑service providers to expand attorney access for people facing immigration proceedings and to develop notification protocols and reporting to the Board when federal agents appear at County sites. County staff said they would relay those requests and follow up with the Board.
The Board approved the consent agenda, adopted several ordinances and adjourned at 5:33 p.m. Commissioners and staff said they would provide additional details and briefings to the Board and public on any County investigations or policy changes that result from the complaints raised at the meeting.
