Essex County commissioners ban ICE operations on private property
By: Kyle Morel
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... A resolution unanimously approved by the Essex County Board of Commissioners bans Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials from freely entering private property within the county.
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The board voted 7-0 in favor of he resolution at its May 13 [2026] meeting. the measure prohibits ICE and Border Patrol agents form entering or operating on non-pubic areas of Essex County properties without a judicial warrant or order. "With the passage of the 'ICE Out of Essex County' resolution, we are making clear that the safety and protection of nonresidents remains a top priority of this Board of Commissioners," said Commissioner Brendan Gill, who introduced the resolution, in a county press release. "At a time when fear and division are being fueled by reckless federal immigration policies, this legislation represents our commitment to standing up for our communities and defending he rule of law."
..... Commissioners Tyshammie Cooper, Leonard Lucianco and Romaine Semons were absent from the meeting and did not vote on the resolution.
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The new policy aligns wit a February [2026] executive order from Governor Mikie Sherrill preventing federal offices form suing private areas to enforce mitigation law unless authorized by a warrant. It is also consistent with the Immigrant Trust Directive, issued in 2018 by then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and immigrate communities.
..... The county resolution was passed the day after the release of a second letter in three months detailing issues at Delaney Hall, an immigrant detention center in Newark. the letter, signed by 288 detainees alleges medical neglect and other public helaht risks in addition to the psychological effect of detention on families being separated.