City mayor criticizes Immigration and Customs Enforcement in wake of fatal shootings
CAPE MAY — Mayor Zack Mullock criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement for its use of deadly force, stating in a recent social media post that the county is experiencing a “constitutional crisis.”
In his post Jan. 26, Mullock stated that he, “like many mayors across the country, watch the tragic events unfolding in Minnesota with shock and profound sadness.”
“The deployment of thousands of federal immigration enforcement agents and the fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents, most recently Alex Pretti, have shaken the fabric of that city — and our nation,” Mullock stated.
The post referred to the fatal shootings of Renée Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis by ICE agents.
Subsequently, protesters across the country called to abolish the agency, which has been criticized for its heavy-handed tactics and agents wearing masks to hide their identities.
“My words today are a genuine plea for peace and a resolute call to defend our Constitution,” he continued. “We are witnessing a constitutional crisis that strikes at the heart of our democracy: the erosion of states’ rights, the refusal to comply with court orders, the selective enforcement of laws and the trampling of local authority through fear and force.”
Mullock stated that, as mayor, he tries to serve his community with love and compassion. He called on mayors and leaders across the country to stand with Minneapolis.
During a City Council meeting Feb. 3, Councilman Steve Bodnar commented on Mullock’s “call for peace and democracy.”
“You stated so eloquently the call to adhere to the principles of fairness, respect for the law, respect for constitutional principles and local authority,” Bodnar said.
City Council’s focus is on local issues, Bodnar said, and recent events prove why that is important.
“The events that unfolded there, as well as the removal of our history in Philadelphia, are sobering reminders that we all need to be vigilant for our community,” he said.
On Jan. 22, CBS News reported that “a series of informational signs about slavery were removed from the President’s House in Old City Philadelphia, a historic site operated by the National Park Service.”
Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade echoed Bodnar’s praise for Mullock.
“I’m very proud to be able to sit next to you, for the work that you do, the protection you put forth for our community each and every day,” McDade said. “And the fact that you were willing to step out there, because many people don’t.”
Community concerns
City resident Roz Johnson asked council what role the Cape May Police Department has in assisting ICE.
Lt. Joseph Walker, attending the meeting on behalf of Chief Dekon Fashaw, said if ICE agents were in Cape May, the CMPD “would not be assisting with that immigration enforcement operation.”
Walker said outside agencies usually show local law enforcement respect.
“If we’re coming into somebody else’s jurisdiction, even if I’m going into another town to call for a background investigation, I usually call ahead,” Walker said. “I would hope they would contact us and give us the same courtesy.”
Walker added that several weeks ago, the U.S. Marshal’s Office notified the CMPD that it would be in town but did not ask for assistance.
“We hope that we would be notified in advance. However, that might not be the case,” Walker said.
New Jersey Immigrant Trust Directive
Walker provided information on directives and guidelines issued annually by the Attorney General’s Office. He said police officers are mandated to follow them and that all officers are well trained to do so.
In 2018, New Jersey released the Immigrant Trust Directive, a landmark statewide policy that establishes a distinction between state, county and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, including ICE.
“The goal of the directive is to promote trust in our state’s diverse immigrant communities and to ensure that victims and witnesses feel safe in reporting crimes to the police,” Walker said. “If you’re not a citizen and you are victim or witness of a crime, please come forward.”
As part of the Immigrant Trust Directive, Walker said New Jersey law enforcement officers cannot stop, question, arrest, search or detain any individual based solely on actual suspected citizenship, immigration status or violations of federal civil immigration law.
“New Jersey law enforcement officers will not assist federal agencies, such as ICE, with enforcing civil immigration activities,” Walker said, adding that state law enforcement officers can provide ICE with access to state or local enforcement resources, including equipment, office space, databases or property.
The directive allows state law enforcement officers to assist federal agencies in the enforcement of criminal investigations or, in some circumstances, when the safety of fellow officers or the public is in jeopardy.
“New Jersey law enforcement will comply and enforce arrest warrants only signed by a judge, and not by ICE officers,” Walker said.
Walker said the police department is here to ensure public safety and that no one should suffer in silence out of fear of being identified as a non-citizen.
“New Jersey law enforcement will not ask an individual about their immigration status unless, in limited circumstances, that information is necessary and relevant to pursue an indictable criminal offense,” he said.
Walker added that New Jersey law enforcement officers will investigate all state criminal offenses.
“Any person who violates New Jersey criminal laws will be arrested and prosecuted for their actions, regardless of immigration status,” Walker said.
For more information, the public can visit nj.gov/trust.
“The state has done a really good job providing information all in one place,” Walker said. “It’s there in multiple different languages.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
