John --
I am writing to you with deep concern and urgency regarding the recent ICE raids conducted in New Jersey. Among those detained was a United States veteran, a citizen of this country who served honorably. I am glad he has since been released.
This incident is a stark reminder that no one is safe from the current administration’s aggressive mass deportation agenda, despite our nation’s proud history as a land of immigrants.
Many of you reading this have family members, spouses, parents, grandparents who came to this country in search of a better life, much like the immediate families of the President and Vice President themselves. While I agree that our immigration system is in dire need of reform, I firmly believe that militarization and constitutional violations are not the answer.
Immigration enforcement is under federal jurisdiction, and despite the progress we’ve made at the state level, such as driver’s licenses for undocumented residents and sanctuary cities, ICE now has the full authorization to conduct raids even in these protected areas. I fully support state-level initiatives like the Immigration Trust Act and the Haitian Migrant Acts, which work to uphold basic human rights.
However, I will always be honest with you: No state law, letter, or phone call from me or most other elected officials including federal ones will STOP ICE from conducting these raids. That said, I will not stop fighting to empower you. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to advocate for humane immigration policies, protect our communities, and reject injustice.
Knowing your rights is critical during this time. I urge you to review the enclosed packet, which includes resources from the ACLU and other legal organizations on what to do if approached by ICE <[link removed]>. For U.S. citizens and visa holders who may be unfairly questioned or detained like the military veteran in Newark I strongly recommend carrying proper identification and securing digital copies of official documents for yourself and any minors in your care. Additionally, ensure that a trusted loved one knows where your original documents are in case of an emergency.
In moments like these, we must stand together as a community. If you need assistance or have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
Britnee Timberlake
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The Committee to Elect Britnee Timberlake - PO Box 5052, East Orange, NJ 07019, United States
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