The North Bergen Board of Commissioners unanimously approved (5-0) the first reading of an ordinance banning U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) from using township property at today’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“North Bergen has always been a welcoming community built by generations of immigrants, and we are committed to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of every resident,” Mayor Nick Sacco said in a statement.
“This ordinance reinforces our responsibility to serve all residents while upholding fairness, transparency, and respect throughout our community.”
Once approved on second reading, federal immigration authorities are prohibited from using North Bergen-owned property, including parks, parking lots, and municipal facilities, as staging areas or operational bases for civil immigration enforcement.
The ordinance also directs township departments to conduct community outreach to ensure residents are informed of their rights and have access to reliable resources.
As part of this effort, the township will work with community partners to provide multilingual Know Your Rights information, host educational workshops, and share resources through Township channels, including social media, the township website, and the North Bergen Help Desk.
The ordinance also calls for identifying trusted legal assistance resources for residents and providing training for Township employees on appropriate protocols when interacting with federal immigration authorities.
“We have heard the fear and uncertainty residents are experiencing, and we will not ignore it,” added Parks and Public Property Commissioner Hugo Cabrera.
“We want every resident to know that North Bergen remains a place where they are valued, protected, and supported, and where we will always stand up for our community.”
North Bergen will continue to follow the New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which ensures local law enforcement does not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities, helping maintain trust between residents and local officials, officials also said.
The local legislation is virtually identical to what cleared the Kearny Town Council and the executive order and accompanying resolution approved by the Hudson County government, both as HCV first reported.
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