'Proud Sanctuary City' In New Jersey Reports ICE Arrest

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — ICE agents recently made an arrest in South Orange, an incident that took place a week after the Trump administration included the township on a controversial list of “sanctuary cities.”

On Friday, a community member posted a social media message about the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in South Orange – including an arrest on Park Place.

The post sparked a response from township officials, who reached out to county and federal agencies for more information. The result?

“Federal ICE agents were indeed present in South Orange and conducted an operation resulting in an arrest,” officials reported later that day.

No South Orange Police Department personnel were involved in the operation in any capacity, authorities said.

The South Orange Board of Trustees and village president passed a resolution in 2017 that declares the township a “sanctuary city.” Among other provisions, the resolution states that no municipal employees – including police – can “enforce federal immigration law, nor help facilitate ICE deportations, except where legally required to do so.”

Town officials also noted that under the New Jersey Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive, local law enforcement agencies are expressly prohibited from participating in ICE civil immigration enforcement operations or providing ICE with access to local law enforcement resources.

The arrest in South Orange takes place a week after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a list of towns and cities that it has identified as “sanctuary jurisdictions.” The list included several municipalities in Essex County: Bloomfield, East Orange, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark and South Orange.

The list was created as part of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in April.

>> Read More: Feds Name 2 Towns In The Oranges As 'Sanctuary Cities,' Demand Compliance

South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum – who is running as Steven Fulop’s lieutenant governor nominee in the 2025 primary election – commented on last Friday’s arrest, calling the incident “really alarming.”

“We understand that immigration-related actions, especially in this current political environment, can cause significant concern and fear within our community,” Collum said.

“Our priority remains the safety, trust, and well-being of all South Orange residents, regardless of immigration status,” she added.

Collum spoke more about the incident in a social media post that evening.

According to the mayor, the federal agents were spotted near Marshall Elementary School in the Grove Park area.

“We found out because somebody took it upon themselves to share what they saw, and we are very grateful for that,” Collum added.

Collum said that she is not aware of any instance of ICE agents being in South Orange or apprehending someone as long as she’s been mayor.

Collum said that South Orange is a “proud sanctuary city,” adding that it doesn’t cooperate with federal agents on anything related to immigrant services.

“So you wouldn't be surprised that ICE doesn't call us to let us know things are going on,” she said.

The mayor added a message for people who are upset by the appearance of ICE in their township:

“I wish there was more information that I could share and tell you how to be better activists. I'm sure my attorney would caution me against saying too much, but I will remind you that you have a right to record. You cannot interfere with any type of investigation or an ongoing arrest. But if you do see something, please say something.”

“We want to know what's happening in South Orange, even if you know we're not getting notices from the federal government,” she added.

Anyone who witnesses ICE activity in South Orange can contact village officials at 973-378-7715, authorities said.

• See Related: NJ Mayor Sues Feds After Controversial Arrest Outside ICE Prison
• See Related: ‘Know Your Rights’: Groups Offer Advice For NJ Immigrants

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