Op-Ed: Bautista’s plan to stand up to ICE is ‘impractical and would be ineffective’

In an editorial, Hudson County Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4) says that commissioner candidate Ron Bautista’s (D-5) plan to stand up to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is “impractical and would be ineffective.”

I came across an op-ed by a Hudson County commissioner candidate arguing that the County “can do more” to stand up to federal ICE agents. While I agree that we can always do more, I beg to differ with both the analysis and policy recommendations.

I understand the frustration and fear our community members share about ICE operations, especially following the ICE incidents on February 1st in both the Jersey City Heights and neighboring Hoboken.

I, myself, was at my church on Central and Manhattan Avenues when ICE agents were spotted just outside. It caused tremendous disruption and panic to our worship.

The policy recommendations outlined in the op-ed piece, while well-intentioned, are impractical and would be ineffective. Federal authority in immigration enforcement supersedes local power.

Enacting a county “Civil Rights Protection Plan” as suggested by the author would lack the capacity, not the courage, to enforce it. ICE agents, like other law enforcement officers, have broad protections when they’re conducting official duties.

Yes, federal and state law enforcement agencies have collaborated in the past. However, recent events throughout our country, particularly in Minnesota, have demonstrated that this is no longer the case.

This reality does not change our responsibility to conduct independent investigations into potential state-law crimes, but how we do them must be meaningful, not theatrical.

County Commissioners continue to advocate for our immigrant communities, for accountability measures, and for independent investigations when need be.

I want to assure our residents that we are actively working with our state and federal partners, such as Congressman Rob Menendez, Senator Raj Mukherji, Assembly people Bhalla and Brennan, as well as local advocacy agencies to address these challenges.

Recently, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy signed an executive order prohibiting federal agents from conducting ICE and CBP operations on county-owned, leased, or operated property, including parks and buildings, unless required by law or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant.

This order establishes clear boundaries on how our county resources may be used. It additionally prohibits county employees and contractors from assisting in civil immigration enforcement and from sharing information with federal immigration authorities.

Jersey City Mayor James Solomon issued a similar executive order, underscoring our shared commitment to protecting our immigrant neighbors and maintaining public safety.

Lastly, Jersey City Councilman Jake Ephros set an example of how to capture ICE activity by recording Sunday’s enforcement action on his phone and sharing that info immediately.

County Commissioners consistently have supported meaningful state-level protection plans. For example, last month we backed state legislation bill A6309/S5037, known as the Privacy Protection Act, designed to restrict government entities and healthcare facilities from collecting or sharing personal information like immigration status.

We also supported A6310/S5038, a state bill that would have codified the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive into law, ensuring local resources are used to provide important municipal services rather than fund federal deportation efforts.

Governor Murphy unfortunately pocket-vetoed both these bills.

These are trying times. We must remain vigilant and informed.

Please know your rights, cautiously record ICE activity without impeding authorities, and report any suspicious activity.

Yraida Aponte-Lipski
Commissioner, District 4