Development News for Trenton, New Jersey

Trenton City Council Tables ICE Ordinance After Public Debate and Amendments

The City Council voted to amend and introduce Ordinance 26-48, which establishes local implementation mechanisms, individual rights of notification, and accountability protocols for supplementing state law limitations on local civil immigration enforcement cooperation. The amendments focused on clarifying language regarding 'shall' versus 'shall not' in sections 3A, 3B, 3D, 4, and 5A of the ordinance. Despite these amendments, a significant portion of the public and some council members expressed that the ordinance did not go far enough, particularly concerning ICE detainers and the lack of explicit prohibition against police collaboration with ICE without a judicial warrant. Ultimately, the ordinance was tabled for two weeks to allow for further discussion and potential amendments, acknowledging that the current draft was not sufficient for unanimous approval.