“It’s been one year since Trump has taken office and he has used his time in office to the sow the seeds of discontent and division throughout this country and one of his main tools for that has been Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Right now, as Gov. Sherrill has stated, Trump is using ICE as his own personal militia, and they have been terrorizing communities throughout the nation including here in Camden County. These agents have showed up in places like Camden City, Haddon Township, and Lindenwold Borough, and have indiscriminately worked to undermine the rule of law while simultaneously stopping individuals without cause and arbitrarily arresting them. We have watched videos of ICE officers with masks up, no body-worn cameras, wearing tactical gear roaming the streets in unmarked vehicles in search of their targets- our residents. This is why I am joining with our Congressman, Donald Norcross, and calling for the impeachment of the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
It’s clear by what we’ve been watching in Minneapolis and other cities throughout the nation that it doesn’t matter if you are U.S. citizen or not, anyone can be the target of ICE. Two U.S. citizens have been killed in Minneapolis just in the last three weeks, scenes that would never occur in Camden, because the Camden County Police Department has become a national model in protecting the sanctity of life, not taking it from innocent demonstrators.
That said, there are couple of important aspects to where we live and why it is important when it comes to ICE enforcement. First, under the state Immigrant Trust Directive the Camden County Police Department will not work or coordinate with federal ICE agents. In addition, years ago we stopped honoring ICE retainers in our correctional system, and most importantly we are working with the state under a new law that will create safe zones throughout our community. I applaud Gov. Murphy for signing this bill and establishing havens at schools, churches, attorney offices, and healthcare providers, where ICE cannot enter unless they have a judicial warrant
As for us here in Camden County, we have worked to develop a national model when it comes to front line policing that has cut homicides by 82% over the last 12 years, boosted solve rates and cut violent crime by almost 55% in the same period. We have done this by relying on unity policing with our community and working hand and hand with our stakeholders and clergy. We have relied on the common fabric that binds us together and have been adamant that every life matters in Camden County. This model of policing was adamantly praised by President Barack Obama, who felt the need to visit Camden City to underscore its effectiveness and efficiency to rebuild communities.
In addition, I want to thank Congressman Donald Norcross for his work introducing the Trust Through Transparency Act which would establish a body-worn camera program for ICE. His concerns are like all of ours, if an American citizen is shot and killed by agents, they should be wearing cameras for accountability. There should be a thorough investigation by an independent body and charges or discipline handed out if anything was done wrong. I would also remind ICE that every officer at the CCPD has been wearing cameras since 2015.
Nevertheless, the actions by Trump and ICE, acting on his behalf to attain his vision of dividing Americans against each other, are undermining front line policing everywhere. This ultimately will make our community unsafe because individuals living in fear will no longer feel safe calling the CCPD if they become a victim of crime.
In general, we are all in favor of criminals being taken off the street and justice being served – no matter what your citizenship status might be. That said, many of these ICE operations are breaking up families, terrorizing members of our community, and impacting life throughout our diverse and inclusive neighborhoods.
This nation is facing troubled times and as neighbors we must work together to voice our opposition to this militia and demand accountability from Trump and his administration.”