In an editorial, Jersey City mayoral candidate Mussab Ali gives his take on why the city must stand stand firm against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Recent reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Newark, West New York, and possibly even Jersey City have sent waves of fear through our community.
While city officials have stated that no confirmed raids have occurred within our borders, the mere possibility is enough to disrupt lives and erode trust. Now, more than ever, we must stand together in defense of our immigrant neighbors, friends, and family members.
As an immigrant myself—and the only immigrant candidate for mayor—I understand firsthand the anxiety that ICE activity provokes.
I have long opposed harmful immigration enforcement policies that threaten to tear families apart and undermine the values that define Jersey City.
In 2020, as a member of the Jersey City Board of Education, I was one of the few elected officials to oppose the renewal of Hudson County’s ICE contract.
I took that stand because I knew our schools must be sanctuaries for all children, not places where students live in fear that their parents could be taken away. That belief has not changed.
Jersey City has long been a refuge for immigrants, a tradition that must not waver.
In 2017, Mayor Steven Fulop’s Sanctuary City Executive Order reaffirmed that commitment by directing municipal employees to protect all residents, regardless of immigration status.
Our city remains the only one in New Jersey accredited by the Department of Justice to provide legal pathways to citizenship, a program that has already served over 1,000 residents.
Just recently, Jersey City was named a grantee of the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Office of New Americans (ONA), a partnership that strengthens our ability to support immigrants and refugees.
Yet, an executive order alone is not enough. We need proactive leadership that will push back against ICE’s presence, strengthen protections for immigrants, and ensure that Jersey City continues to be a place of opportunity—not intimidation.
Unfortunately, political opportunists are quick to exploit ICE activity, using fear to divide our community for personal gain.
Instead of stoking panic, we must focus on facts. Misinformation only increases anxiety, discourages undocumented residents from seeking essential services, and worsens mental health challenges.
Leadership means providing clarity and solutions—not using fear as a political weapon.
Rather than allowing ICE to dictate the narrative, we must empower our community through education and action. Residents should be aware of their rights and seek support from trusted organizations, such as:
Make the Road New Jersey – Providing legal aid and community support for immigrant families.
American Friends Service Committee – Advocating for the rights of undocumented individuals.
The Waterfront Project – Offering free legal services to those facing housing and immigration challenges.
Jersey City is not just a sanctuary city—it is the gateway to the American Dream. Every day, we provide water and electricity to the Statue of Liberty, a global symbol of freedom and refuge.
Our city’s commitment to welcoming immigrants is woven into the very fabric of our identity. It is unthinkable that a place that powers Lady Liberty herself would allow ICE to undermine that legacy.
As mayor, I will champion policies that protect and uplift our immigrant communities. I will advocate for the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (S3672/A4987), which strengthens trust between immigrants and government agencies by preventing local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE.
I will fight for S779/A577, which expands health care coverage to undocumented immigrants and their children, and support A5096, which broadens protections under the Law Against Discrimination for immigrants and non-U.S. citizens.
At the same time, I will strongly oppose harmful legislation like S2965/A224, which seeks to block state funding for legal assistance to immigrants facing detention or deportation. These measures go against the values of fairness and inclusion that define Jersey City.
Jersey City thrives because of its diversity. Immigrants are an essential part of our community—they contribute to our economy, enrich our culture, and help shape our city’s future.
We must reject any attempt to use ICE enforcement as a tool of intimidation or political manipulation. Instead, we must stand together to defend our city’s most vulnerable residents.
I urge all Jersey City residents to take action. Stay informed, support local immigrant advocacy organizations, and demand that our leaders uphold policies that protect rather than punish.
Our strength lies in our unity, and together, we will ensure that Jersey City remains a beacon of safety, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Mussab Ali
Candidate for Mayor of Jersey City
Well Mussab, if you want to place murderers, rapists and thieves above the right to safety of US citizens, then maybe ICE needs to pick you up too. Go out there and interfere with American law being upheld.
We’ll wait and wish you a safe departure.
No one is against immigrants, Mr Ali. Illegal aliens we are dealing with. Many outright criminals, such as child rapists. Then, they cut in line of those who proceed legally. While taking jobs and resources from the needy legitimately deserving our help. If you want to share your own house with a child rapist, LMK, I will provide free transportation for your “migrant”.
BTW, Mr Ali. These organizations had just their public funding cut off by POTUS. Do you care to chip in some of your monies? You know what my wild guess is, do you?
In the end, you yourself prove you should be kept away from any public office. You offer no solution at all, beside of crocodile tears.
This is the politicians fault who wouldn’t give up
illegal immigrants criminals prisoners to ICE so want happens now when they are released ICE has to look for them and unfortunately other illegal immigrants get sweep up. So to the politicians who did want to give then up whole they were in jail you cause this problem. I guess You didn’t listen to the People who voted in November. This is going back fire on you the next Election. SMH
That’s 100% correct! Notice how they gear up and mobilize to defend the worst illegal criminals? These Leftists get mobilized for the public safety of American citizens. You had Ravi Bhalla in Hoboken standing in front of residents and giving them NADA on public safety when a nanny was attacked in Church Square Park.
Then when federal law enforcement mobilizes to track illegals connected to murder, rape, and theft, watch Ravi stand up and seek media attention to block public safety for Americans! They consider them their constituents, call them same, and want to get them registered to vote. Utter vermin!
1) public safety concerns – sanctuary policies inadvertently protect criminals (have you been on the streets or PATH lately?); 2) immigration is a federal responsibility (as a candidate for mayor, you should understand solely municipal policies); 3) prioritizing protections for undocumented immigrants disregards those who have followed legal immigration procedures. you’re encouraging illegal immigration and burdening our city’s public resource. focus on the needs of JERSEY CITY citizens.
Keep messing around and nj will turn red. We will turn hudson county red. FAFO for real. You don’t represent the people
The hypocrisy of the Democratic Party to say that Israeli Jews have no rights to come from Europe and Russia to settle, take land, and homes into Palestine, Israel, Syria, and other Middle East nations for their Greater Israel Project, but the same Democratic Party says it’s okay for illegal aliens and refugees to come to the USA to settle illegally, get tax funding government assistance programs, demand for citizenship, work permits, and more. Ask the Palestine people what they think if Palestine people allow illegal aliens and refugees around the world (Mexico, Honduras, China, Nigeria, Uganda, India, Haiti, and others) to settle into Palestine and Israel and to settle illegally, take land, get tax funding government assistance programs from Palestine and Israeli governments, demand for citizenship, work permits, and more all funded by Palestine and Israeli people tax dollars? They wouldn’t like it at all, but the Democratic Party believes in Open Borders and their Utopia of letting illegals and refugees settle anywhere around the world into the USA. Palestinians know very well what happens if illegal aliens take over their land and free handouts given to foreign nations because they lose that nation to foreign nationals. If Democratic Party don’t like Palestinian people being removed and murdered by foreign nationals that are taking land and homes for the Greater Israel project then they have no business lecturing the American people and other nations about Open Borders and demanding people to allow people to live illegally in any nation.