Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained two individuals in Princeton early Thursday morning — the first publicly reported ICE detainments in Princeton this year.
“The Municipality was able to independently confirm that two adult males were detained,” a same-day public release from the Municipality of Princeton read.
One of the people detained was a 40-year-old Princeton father who had just dropped his 9-year-old son off at school, according to a statement from State Senator Andrew Zwicker. Resistencia en Acción NJ, a local immigrant advocacy organization, said in a public release that the other person was detained while “on his way to work.”
According to the Municipality, “ICE was unable to provide the reasons [for the detainments] or any additional information.”
Captain Thomas Lagomarsino of the Princeton Police Department shared in a statement to The Daily Princetonian that these detainments occurred “at approximately 8:30 a.m. in the area of John Street.” A crossing guard had reported seeing “two suspicious vehicles” near the intersection of Birch Avenue and John Street, the statement from the Municipality read.
“Several individuals approached the vehicles before they drove away, and the witnesses believed the individuals may have been affiliated with ICE,” the Municipality added.
The Municipality reported that “ICE did not notify the Municipality of Princeton or the Princeton Police Department in advance of their presence or actions.” Lagomarsino confirmed that the police department “was not notified by ICE prior to this incident this morning.”
“The Princeton Police Department follows the Immigrant Trust Directive issued by the New Jersey Attorney General,” Lagomarsino wrote. The Immigrant Trust Directive limits voluntary state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities in New Jersey.
In their release, Resistencia shared a quote from a relative of one of the people detained.
“My cousin was heading to work. He was no criminal. We’d always meet for coffee in the morning but he never came; he was taken in a van,” the relative said. “He came here to find better opportunities, and now he’s been taken.”
Resistencia is currently in “direct contact with both affected families,” according to the release.
In a statement to the ‘Prince,’ Executive Director of Resistencia Ana Paola Pazmiño shared that the two individuals have not yet been located by Resistencia. The organization is also awaiting a response from Princeton Human Services regarding legal representation assistance for the two individuals, according to Pazmiño.
Princeton High School (PHS) was placed under a shelter-in-place order for around an hour during the middle of the school day, according to a message from Principal Cecilia Birge. The school is located about a block away from Jefferson Road, where Resistencia reported “possible ICE activity” at 11:30 a.m. During the shelter-in-place, entry and exit from the building was barred, but students were still able to move freely within the school.
“Every single entrance of the school was blocked, from the main entrance to the smallest basement door that no one uses — there were teachers in front of each entrance acting like guards,” Princeton High School senior Lilly Ludewig wrote to the ‘Prince.’
She was initially unsure of whether her track team would be able to practice outside after school. The team was eventually allowed to do so, but they had to “stay close to school” and run “in groups,” Ludewig wrote.
“One of my friends was crying. There was, I think, a lot of anxiety,” senior Avery Bahr told the ‘Prince.’ She said she heard “students trying to help other students with different circumstances get rides home because they felt unsafe.”
“It’s kind of surreal to think that something that you see on the news is right outside,” PHS student Winston Jung said.
Several elected officials expressed concern about the incident and other recent ICE activity, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis last week.
“The violent raids, lawless detentions, and deadly encounters must stop now,” Zwicker said in his statement. “New Jersey must take steps to protect our residents and fight every senseless kidnapping inflicted on our neighbors.”
“Yet again, it appears the misguided priorities and failed practices of ICE have led not to improvements in community safety but to the breaking up of families,” said U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, whose congressional district includes Princeton, in a statement about the detainments.
“A day will come when those who have violated our rights will face justice. It’s up to us to voice our opposition to their actions and serve as witnesses to their crimes,” she continued.
Leaders of Resistencia affirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting the immigrant community in the release.
“During this time of aggressive attacks on immigrant communities, we are witnessing ICE kidnapping more fathers, husbands, and workers in our Princeton community,” Pazmiño said. “We will continue to stand up and protect our community with our Rapid Response volunteers, and we urge those with power to stand up and say no to ICE.”
“Our community is in pain knowing that two members of our community were abducted this morning while doing what everyone should be able to do — go to work,” said Asma Elhuni, an organizer of the Resistencia rapid response team. “This is the result of racist targeting, and we will not sit back and watch. We call on others to join us in responding as a community to this violence.”
Last year, there were reportedly over 16 detainments in Princeton by federal immigration authorities. In August, the Princeton Council voted to adopt a resolution that reflected the Municipality’s support of the Immigrant Trust Act, a statewide act that would codify the Immigrant Trust Directive and limit the amount of information that could be provided to ICE by law enforcement officials. The bill was passed by the N.J. State Legislature on Monday and sent to Governor Phil Murphy for approval.
In its statement, the Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to protecting, supporting, and informing the community.
“The Municipality shares the concerns many in our community feel in response to this and similar actions. We remain committed to keeping residents informed and will continue to share verified information as it becomes available,” the statement read.
“Princeton Human Services will continue to provide support, resources, and information to Princeton’s underserved communities. The Mayor and Council remain committed to ensuring that Princeton is a welcoming community for all.”
Luke Grippo is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from South Jersey, and typically covers high-profile interviews and University and town politics, on a national, regional, and local scale. He can be reached at lg5452[at]princeton.edu.
Oliver Wu is a News and Features contributor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Stony Brook, N.Y. and can be reached at oliver.wu[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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