Menendez, McIver, & Watson Coleman host virtual Town Hall: ‘We need to abolish ICE’

U.S. Reps. Rob Menendez (D-8), LaMonica McIver (D-10), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) hosted a virtual Town Hall addressing recent actions by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE): “We need to abolish ICE.”

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

“It’s been a difficult 13 months, and the last several days and weeks have been especially difficult for so many, while we continue to watch what happens in Minnesota,” began Menendez.

“Just yesterday, there was an incident in our district in Jersey City and Hoboken … We know these are unprecedented times.  All 3 of us have been cosponsors on the articles of impeachment against [U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi] Noem.”

Sunday morning, ICE officers apprehended “several individuals” in Hoboken and Jersey City, according to Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour, with one detention caught on video, as HCV first reported.

“In the last few months, we’ve seen horrific images … ICE is simply out of control, even in New Jersey: Secretary Noem has abused her office,” Watson Coleman added, claiming there is “a deportation quote” of 3,000 immigrants a day.

“You can’t reach that number by going after violent criminals, it’s easier to harass individuals … That’s exactly what ICE has been doing,” the congresswoman declared.

She also exclaimed that donors of President Donald Trump (R) own the private detention center in Newark, Delaney Hall, further criticizing White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem for “depriving American citizens of their rights.”

Watson Coleman also asserted that Alex Pretti was simply tending to a woman who was pepper sprayed by ICE agents before they fatally shot him in Minnesota, one of just several examples of why ICE must cease operations in her eyes.

“I don’t understand the America Trump is advancing … ICE needs to be dismantled,” she added.

McIver, who is still facing federal assault charges for an incident at Delaney Hall in Mayor where Newark Ras Baraka was arrested and she tussles with an ICE agent, stated that these federal agents kill people since they feel protected by Trump.

“We know it should not be this way … I’m still processing the horror of seeing the clips of the murders of Alex and Renee [Good]. There is great power in our collective resistance … But we have to do it safely,” McIver said, indicating that violence is not the answer.

Menendez said his office has previously offered legal observer training with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice previously to help people counter ICE, with a similar “Know Your Rights” training with the ACLU of New Jersey set for Thursday.

Additionally, Watson Coleman noted there is a Democratic effort to cut ICE and DHS funding, but it is currently impossible to do without Republican support.

However, congressional opposition could be achieved if the Democrats take the majority in the House of Representatives and Senate in the November midterms, she also said.

Watson Coleman said she was proud of the resistance by the people of Minneapolis, making ICE unpopular, arguing that “public sentiment … is everything.”

Menendez interjected that Republicans have been silent on Trump threatening the Gateway project, as well as any actions of ICE.

“Oversight really exposes abuse and … that is really our job,” McIver stated.

Furthermore, Menendez praised Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor James Solomon for taking a stand against Trump’s immigration enforcement, noting he was in touch with both Solomon and Jabbour Sunday after ICE detentions were made.

“We’re ready and we stand prepared for whatever happens,” he said defiantly, noting they have already taken a stand against a new ICE detention center in Roxbury, noting their colleague who represents that district, Tom Kean Jr (D-7), has been silent.

Watson Coleman said they are sponsoring legislation to stop the creation of more detention centers in warehouses, which Republicans had previously blocked.

“People who are detained should be treated with decency and respect,” she stated.

To that point, McIver said the Republican majority Roxbury Town Council is against the detention center.

Watson Coleman encouraged people to record videos of ICE, reiterating that Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) wants to create portal for residents to share ICE activity.

“The more we can publicize what is happening, the more people realize how abusive this Administration has become. Make sure you are peaceful. They cannot harass you for simply being there,” she said.

“We need to abolish ICE. It can no longer exist. On the other side of this, we’re going to build something that’s just and welcoming …  When you feel down, continue to believe in what this country can be. If we stick in this together, we’ll get to the other side,” Menendez concluded.