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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. 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
https://www.electtimberlake.com/
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