Highland Park council votes 4–1 to back New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act amid public pleas

Highland Park’s borough council voted 4–1 on Oct. 21 to approve a resolution urging the New Jersey Legislature to consider the Immigrant Trust Act, a measure supporters say would limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and protect residents’ access to municipal services.

The action followed a lengthy public-comment period in which residents and advocates described local encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and urged the council to press state leaders to bring the bill forward. “I’m here tonight to ask you to pass the resolution on the Immigrant Trust Act so that we can create a safe, welcoming space for our newcomers,” resident Mary Curran said during the meeting.

The resolution, introduced by Council Member Jason Stalick, cites bills S.3672 and A.4987 and asks borough staff to send copies to state legislative leaders and the governor’s office. Stalick framed the measure as codifying long-standing state guidance so local police can “focus on doing their jobs and keeping our communities safe.” Several residents described traumatic impacts on children and families when a parent is detained; pediatric social worker Helen Ni told the council that children experienced severe depression and school withdrawal after a relative’s detention.

Council debate reflected support from multiple members and organized advocates, but also one dissenting councilor. Council Member Matt Hail said he supported the goal of protecting immigrants but raised concerns about timing and statutory language. He noted differences between the existing Immigrant Trust directive and the draft act — particularly the directive’s limited exceptions for law-enforcement questioning in serious-crime investigations, which he said the bill as written appeared to remove — and worried that pressing the issue during an election period could politicize the debate. “I’m not convinced at this time that pushing to have the ITA passed immediately without much debate is the right way to do that,” Hail said before casting the lone no vote.

Council Member Phil George, speaking in favor of the resolution, said the measure reaffirmed actions Highland Park took in prior years and signaled the borough’s commitment to protecting resident trust in municipal services. “This reinforces our commitment and also takes it to the state level as well,” George said.

After the vote, borough staff confirmed the resolution will be sent to local legislative representatives, the Senate president, the Assembly speaker and the governor’s office, with supporters urging the council to follow up with calls asking leaders to schedule committee hearings during the legislative ‘lame duck’ period.

What’s next: The resolution is advisory; any legal change must come from the state Legislature. Supporters asked council members to press Senate President and Assembly Speaker for committee hearings so the bill can be debated and amended if necessary. The council’s action records local policy support and does not by itself change enforcement practices in Highland Park.