This afternoon, Jersey City mayoral candidate, Commissioner Bill O'Dea released the following statement responding to the immoral and unconstitutional immigration raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that were ordered just last week by the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump:
"Just a few short days into the new Trump administration it appears that many of our fears are already being realized, with reports of ICE agents indiscriminately arresting people and causing widespread fear and unrest. This is exactly why I was one of the only elected officials in Hudson County who opposed the ICE contract renewal with county government, because it did not align with our values here in the most diverse city in the country.
We can all agree that violent criminals who are undocumented immigrants should be subject to immigration enforcement. However, Trump's unconstitutional Executive Order targeting birthright citizenship and the early reports of ICE agents threatening U.S. citizens and even young children in schools are cause for major concern.
I want all residents of our city to feel welcome and safe and I will do everything in my power to make sure residents are aware of their rights, that legal counsel is available to law abiding immigrants facing deportation, and that we pressure the federal government to respect the rule of law and due process while exercising some degree of restraint and humanity in their actions."