Residents and advocates press Hudson County over armed agents, North Bergen trailers and immigrant protections at Braddock Park

At the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Sept. 11, residents and county staff pressed officials for action after videos circulated showing armed, masked agents in Braddock Park and public concern about school trailers occupying parkland.

Heather Davis, chief of staff to the County Executive, told commissioners the County Executive's office first learned of the incident through a social-media post and that the office "was not notified" directly. Davis asked the Sheriff’s office to immediately report similar incidents and referenced the county’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which she said prohibits local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement and the provision of local law‑enforcement resources to federal immigration authorities.

Several public speakers said a deputy's response to a park video raised questions. Courtney Walker, a Jersey City resident, said a recording shows six armed individuals — two with face coverings and visible holsters — who did not identify themselves when questioned; Walker said a Hudson County sheriff arrived and questioned the person filming rather than the armed group and described the sheriff's reaction as concerning. "This raises serious concerns if those individuals were ICE," Walker said, and she urged the County to adopt clearer policies for how to respond when ICE or people claiming to be ICE appear on County property.

Mark Bloomberg, who has pressed the Board on Braddock Park issues for months, told the commissioners that North Bergen last week withdrew a diversion application from the state Department of Environmental Protection after more than 500 people registered opposition. He urged the County to ensure the trailers are removed and the land restored for public recreation, saying the County should "set things straight" with the tenant and provide a named point of contact to monitor compliance.

Several speakers and nonprofit providers asked the County to improve supports for families affected by immigration enforcement. Stephanie Campos described families waiting hours outside Delaney Hall to visit detained relatives and urged creation of an emergency fund, a centralized resource hub combining county agencies, community-based organizations and grassroots groups, and funding for a resource navigator to help families access services. "Visitors wait hours outside the gate on what is essentially an active driveway," Campos said, describing risks to children and families during prolonged waits.

What the County said: Davis told the board that the County Executive prioritizes park safety and asked the Sheriff to provide immediate notification to the County Executive's office if similar episodes occur; she also reminded the board of the Immigrant Trust Directive. County counsel (Alberico De Pierro) acknowledged the need to coordinate with municipalities and the tenant and indicated the County is already engaging with relevant parties after North Bergen’s withdrawal from the DEP application.

Requests made to the Board: public commenters asked for a town-hall with the Sheriff present to explain how the Sheriff's office responds when federal agents appear on County property; a public policy clarifying Sheriff interaction with ICE or agents claiming to be ICE; a county emergency fund and navigators for families affected by detentions; and a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act (S3672A4987).

What remains unresolved: The meeting record includes citizen accounts and staff statements but no formal County finding about the identities of the armed agents or immediate enforcement action in the meeting record. Several speakers said they would follow up with County counsel to identify specific next steps.