The mayor said the raids damage the trust built between the city and immigrants.
TRENTON -- Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson has joined in the call to stop the recent round of federal deportation raids, saying that they have become the focus of fear and misinformation among the city's immigrants.
In January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rounded up 121 people who had illegally crossed the southern U.S. border with their families since May 2014, mostly from Central America. and had been ordered out of the country by a judge.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said those targeted had been issued final orders of removal by immigration courts and had exhausted other legal remedies, including claims for asylum.
"As I have said repeatedly, our borders are not open to illegal migration," he said. "If you come here illegally, we will send you back with our laws and values."
But immigration advocates and Democratic lawmakers across the country denounced the raids.
"These kinds of immigration enforcement are unfortunate," Jackson said in a statement. "They damage the work that cities like Trenton are doing to foster trust between immigrant communities and local government and to build an inclusive community."
Police Director Ernest Parrey, Jr. said the city's police department is committed to protecting all law-abiding members of the community, regardless of immigration status or nationality.
Though no arrests have taken place, Jackson said residents have expressed concerns over a perceived increase of ICE in the city.
The mayor partnered with a coalition of Latino civic and nonprofit organizations to quell local concerns and hold forums to inform and educate residents about their rights and how to respond.
The next session will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at the Sam Naples Center, 611 Chestnut St.
In the event that any ICE action takes place in Trenton, the city is encouraging those affected to call Trenton police at 609-989-4170. For legal questions or more information on specific immigration cases, contact El Centro de Familias of Catholic Charities at 609-394-2056 or the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund's Welcome House at 609-688-0881.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
