The Trump administration has taken legal action against four cities in New Jersey, claiming that local officials are hindering federal law efforts related to illegal immigration through their sanctuary city policies.
The lawsuit from the Justice Department asserts that Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Patterson are obstructing federal initiatives aimed at controlling illegal immigration.
The defendants include Newark’s Mayor Las Baraka, Hoboken’s Rabbi Bara, Jersey City’s Stephen Flop, and Patterson’s Andre Seig, along with the city councils of these municipalities.
The complaint states that “the policies challenged by intent and design are head-on attacks on federal immigration laws and the federal authorities that govern them.”
Baraka was recently arrested for trespassing outside an immigration customs facility, though those charges were dropped. Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Lamonica McQuiver faced assault charges during a protesting incident at Delaney Hall.
“The lawsuit against Newark is absurd,” Baraka remarked in a statement. He emphasized that their policies do not interfere with public safety or law enforcement. “We’re not turning our city into a federal immigration enforcement agency. The courts have already ruled that this is not our role,” he stated.
Deputy Assistant Director Jaakov Ross asserted that local policies seem designed to impede federal immigration enforcement.
Baraka claimed he was “targeted” following a court hearing, emphasizing that local law enforcement wishes to assist the U.S. with immigration challenges but feels hampered by the policies in question.
This lawsuit follows a series of federal charges against Baraka related to a May 9 incident involving Democratic leaders at the ICE detention center in Newark.
Attorney General Pamela Bondy criticized the New Jersey officials, stating, “These officials appear more focused on political theatrics than the safety of their communities.” She also noted that this Department of Justice has zero tolerance for local sanctuary policies obstructing immigration enforcement, hinting at more legal actions to come.
Baraka responded, reinforcing the commitment to protect residents’ rights and uphold constitutional principles, rejecting divisive politics.
Hoboken’s Mayor Bala expressed pride in community values, vowing to actively defend their rights against what he described as the lawlessness of the Trump administration. “We will not back down,” he stated.
Jersey City’s Flop reacted on social media to the lawsuit, defending the sanctuary city policy and claiming that it safeguards families while reflecting the community’s values and low crime rates. “As governor, I won’t be intimidated. I will fight this and prevail,” he asserted.
The Trump administration has previously targeted sanctuary jurisdictions, filing suits against cities in New York, Colorado, and Illinois for obstructing immigration enforcement.
