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Residents ask Metuchen council to adopt Immigrant Trust Act resolution after ICE raids
Summary
Speakers urged the borough to pass a resolution limiting local cooperation with ICE, presented sample language and asked the council to accept materials; the mayor said borough police will follow the law and staff will accept the resolution text for consideration.
Metuchen — Several residents urged the Borough Council on Sept. 29 to adopt a resolution in support of the proposed Immigrant Trust Act, saying local action could limit municipal cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Tony Faber of Scotch Plains told council members he had sample resolution language and argued the borough should make a public statement separating local policing from federal immigration enforcement. "If [local police] felt that they could be suddenly disappeared," Faber said, "no one in our communities would feel safe coming to the police, coming to government, coming to schools, coming to hospitals." He left printed materials with the borough clerk for the council’s consideration.
Katherine Hunt, representing a coalition of churches and community groups from Middlesex County, described the practical work her group does after raids—linking families to social services, legal help and temporary supports—and urged local education for residents and businesses about their rights during enforcement actions. She told the council municipalities can help by warning residents when raids are imminent and by sharing rights information.
Mayor Jonathan M. Bush acknowledged the speakers’ concerns and said borough officials work regularly with the police chief to ensure the borough follows the law. He accepted the materials from Faber and directed that they be given to the clerk for follow up.
No formal council action was taken at the meeting; residents were encouraged to submit materials to the clerk for possible future consideration as a resolution.
