In an editorial, Hudson County Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4) responds to potential June 2nd primary opponent David Guirgis’ recent claims about the actions she’s taken regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Hudson County commissioner candidate David Guirgis’ misinterpretation and misrepresentation of my position and actions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protections are disheartening and disqualifying.
If a candidate for elected office cannot honestly engage in a truthful discussion about such an important matter as this, how could they be trusted to have the critical conversations needed to get meaningful things done for their constituents?
Accusing me of being an elected official who “throw[s] their hands up in response and say, ‘We can’t do anything more about this’” is unfair.
Just because I couldn’t attend Councilman Jake Ephros’ sponsored march due to a prior personal commitment doesn’t mean I do not support him or the march; it’s a poor assumption by my future opponent.
In my op-ed Mr. Guirgis referenced, I mentioned all the elected officials I have been working with about ICS protections from the federal level on down to the local level to ensure we do the most within our power to assist all our residents.
In fact, on January 29, 2026, three days before Councilman Jake Ephros’ shocking exposure of an ICE arrest, my colleagues and I passed a resolution opposing the unlawful enforcement tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and/or any other federal agency employed by the U.S. Government in conducting civil immigration enforcement activities in the county of Hudson.
My colleagues and I have, and continue to, support the New Jersey Attorney General Immigrant Trust Directive and Privacy Protection Act.
Governor Murphy unfortunately pocket-vetoed both these bills. We are strongly encouraging Governor Mikie Sherrill to sign and enact them.
We also call upon the Hudson County sheriff to work with County Executive Guy to respond to circumstances that involve civil immigration enforcement in and on county-owned properties.
Last year I, with the support of County Executive Craig Guy, started a monthly food distribution service to help poverty-stricken families, especially those who have had family members taken by ICE.
Initially we had 20 families; we now have about 120. We are looking to increase our distribution, and just last week we reached out to Spirits of Liberty (SOL) to see how we can partner to maximize our effectiveness in helping these families.
I wrote my last op-ed because I sat in my church while ICE agents were across the street and felt the fear of nearly three hundred parishioners, and when I read Mr. Bautista’s letter the following day, I felt his pain and wanted to join the conversation.
Never did I think it would have given unfounded political fodder for someone’s political aspirations.
Sincerely,
Yraida Aponte-Lipski
County Commissioner, District 4
The group you reached out to is called Spirit of Liberation. You got their name wrong. Be serious: You need to be doing more to oppose ICE. Much, much more. The people aren’t going to stand for weak leadership anymore.