Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Providence police chief tells residents borough will not enforce federal immigration arrests; council to republish directive guidance
Summary
Police Chief Hen told the council and residents that New Jerseys 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive guides local action and that New Providence officers do not enforce federal immigration law; council and residents urged republishing neutral guidance and resource links to address community fears.
Mayor Morgan asked the boroughs police chief to explain what role local officers would play if federal immigration agents operated in New Providence. Chief Hen said the states 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive — issued by the New Jersey attorney general and treated as guiding policy for law enforcement in the state — sets the boroughs framework for interactions with federal immigration authorities.
AChief Hen said the directive focuses local enforcement on indictable crimes and that officers do not make enforcement decisions based on immigration status. "We are not looking to arrest people on immigration charges. It's not what we do here," he said, adding that officers may act in narrowly defined exigent circumstances to protect life or safety.
The chief told the public the department has had no known requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist in New Providence and that the boroughs officers are not federal agents: "We're not here to enforce federal policies. We never have been." He recommended republishing the prior explanatory memo and the AG directive link so residents can read official guidance directly.
Residents questioned whether federal agents can enter school or religious property, and Chief Hen said school access protocols are controlled by the board of education and that many religious institutions are open to the public; he declined to provide legal rulings about federal authority but emphasized coordination with the borough administration and the board of education for communication and preparedness.
Council members and residents urged the borough to produce a short, legally reviewed guidance note and a list of resources (what residents can do, where to get help) that can be shared via the borough and school district communications. Council agreed to have staff and borough counsel review proposed language before republication.
The public exchange included residents who said fear generated by national media narratives was driving behavior locally and asked for clear, practical steps — not legal advice — about rights and local resources. Chief Hen and council members repeatedly framed the discussion as one of communication and trust, not a change in enforcement practice.
The meeting closed the discussion by inviting written suggestions and by noting officials will coordinate with the school district and counsel before releasing any revised guidance for public distribution.
