Immigration agents chasing criminal illegal “blocked by people whose stated goal was to stop the arrest” in Princeton
Local residents and activists interfered in an operation carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Princeton this month, authorities say.
The episode unfolded during the early hours of July 10 in the affluent college town located in New Jersey, which is a de facto ‘sanctuary’ for illegal aliens.
While conflicting information about the raid has been circulating, ICE confirmed a twice-deported illegal alien with an outstanding warrant was arrested while the apprehension of another criminal illegal was foiled by members of the public.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents from the Newark office arrived in Princeton looking for two illegal aliens.
They quickly located one, a 29-year-old Guatemalan who has been removed from the U.S. twice and is facing a slew of criminal charges.
The Guatemalan was arrested earlier this year in Princeton on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.
He skipped a hearing at Princeton Municipal Court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was taken into custody by ICE without incident.
Agents then stopped a man matching the description of the second suspect but discovered it was not him and quickly told him he was free to go.
“Shortly thereafter, ERO Newark officers positively identified the second subject. They began a foot pursuit but were blocked by people whose stated goal was to stop the arrest. The subject was able to abscond because of the interference,” ICE explained in a press release.
ICE says they are still seeking the second suspect, a 27-year-old Guatemalan male who is in the U.S. illegally and was arrested for assault by automobile and convicted of DUI in Lawrence Township, NJ, in 2023.
“The unfortunate and unacceptable interference from outside actors not only created a dangerous situation for the public and our officers, but also impeded ERO Newark from the performance of our duties,” said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris in a statement.
“Our officers are to be commended for maintaining their professionalism throughout this ordeal as well as for arresting a violent noncitizen offender.”
“The unfortunate and unacceptable interference from outside actors not only created a dangerous situation for the public and our officers, but also impeded ERO Newark from the performance of our duties,” said ERO Newark FOD John Tsoukaris. https://t.co/Sy5eZipD9D
— ERO Newark (@ERONewark) July 17, 2024
Officials and activists blasted ICE for attempting to enforce immigration law and remove foreign criminals from the streets of New Jersey.
“I am horrified to learn of the ICE raids carried out in Princeton today, by agents who did not identify themselves, drove into communities, and stopped Hispanic/Latinx residents seemingly at random to interrogate them and demand documentation,” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) said in a statement.
In light of last week’s ICE activities, Princeton Human Services has been working closely with our immigrant community to inform them of their rights and to provide access to vital immigration resources. For more information: https://t.co/n1oR6dMAYH pic.twitter.com/Yz7Zf33JxH
— The Municipality of Princeton (@PrincetonNJ_Gov) July 16, 2024
Princeton Mayor Mark Freda said he was “deeply troubled” about enforcement actions that “starkly contradict our core values of respect and dignity for all.”
Incredibly, it seems no one who obstructed ICE was arrested.
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