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Somerville council backs Immigrant Trust Act resolution after public appeals
Summary
After public testimony from residents urging protections for immigrant residents, Somerville Borough Council voted unanimously Dec. 1 to adopt a resolution supporting the Immigrant Trust Act, while noting many provisions are already governed by the state attorney general’s directives.
Somerville Borough Council voted unanimously Dec. 1 to adopt a resolution urging New Jersey lawmakers to advance the Immigrant Trust Act after multiple residents urged the borough to show support.
During the public-comment period, Tony Faber of Scotch Plains told the council the resolution would help prevent local officials from sharing immigration information and would shield schools and hospitals from enforcement actions. “The Immigrant Trust Act would prevent local governments from giving out immigration information and prevent ICE raids in places like schools and hospitals,” Faber said.
Donna Volpe, a Somerville resident, cited a May 2025 Stockton University report and described the economic contributions of immigrant residents, saying undocumented workers contribute “an estimated $1.3 billion in state and local taxes” and that the ordinance would help residents access services without fear. John Flores and Sherry Rust echoed concerns about recent enforcement activity in the region and urged the council to act.
Mayor Brian Gallagher cautioned that many protections described in the ITA are already governed by directives from the New Jersey attorney general, and he warned about expanding borough focus to federal issues. “My concern is that this begins to open up conversations at this table that are more federal or state level conversations,” Gallagher said. Nonetheless, council members argued symbolic support could protect community trust and encourage state action.
Councilmember Andrew Conte said the resolution is not a directive to local police but a request to state lawmakers to codify protections so they remain if future guidance changes. After brief discussion the council took a roll-call vote and recorded unanimous approval.
The resolution expresses Somerville’s support for state action on the ITA; it does not change local police policy. The council did not specify implementation steps tied to the resolution and said any operational changes would follow state law or attorney general guidance.
