Mayor praises defeat of Trump suit
Administration targeted police and deportation
By: Joe Mallinconico
Paterson Press
PATERSON - Mayor Andre Sayegh declared that "justice has prevailed," a day after a federal judge dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit targeting policies here and in three other New Jersey cities that limited the ability of local police too cooperate with federal immigration officers.
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"The president came out swinging, punching Paterson," Sayegh said. "But we're not afraid to punch back."
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The legal fight may not be over.
..... U.S. District Judge Evelen Padin issued her decision "without prejudice," allowing the federal Justice Department to submit a revised lawsuit against Paterson, Newark, Jersey City and Hoboken within the next 45 days.
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The Justice Department in May 2025 sued the four Garden State cities on the grounds that their police officers were not cooperating with federal authorities' enforcement efforts against illegal immigration.
..... Padin based her dismissal of the lawsuit on the fact that the four cities' policies and procedures limiting immigration enforcement were simply complying with a New Jersey Attorney General's Office directive issued about 20 years ago.
..... Paterson's law director, Aymen Aboushi, said the Justice Department tried to "federalize" city police, by getting them to do the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Aboushi said such a scenario would cause fear among Patrons immigrants and make it less likely for them to report crimes and cooperate in local police investigations.
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"We can't be satisfied when our residents are afraid of the police who are supposed to protect and serve them," the Paterson law director said.
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Aboushi said the Justice Department has filed lawsuits against so-called sanctuary cities in eight to 12 states around the country. The New Jersey case is among the first to be decided, he said.
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But he acknowledged that the Trump Justice Department may take "further action." As of the morning of June 25, [2026] the Trump administration had not issued a statement reacting to the ruling.
..... The mayors of Newark and Jersey City issued statements on Wednesday [06/24/2026] regarding the dismissal.
..... Newark Mayor Ras Baraka expressed gratitude for Padon's ruling.
..... Newark remains a committed lawful city, built on statutes and ordinances that uphold order and peace in our community," said the mayor of New Jersey's largest city. "In conjunction with that, and perhaps most important, Newark upholds a deep-seated spirit of inclusive, generosity, and hospitality.
..... Jersey City Mayor James Solomen said he will "never stop fighting to protect Jersey City's immigrant communities," noting 40% of its residents were born in another country.
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"This diversity is what makes our communities stronger and more vibrant," Solomon said.