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06-05-2017, 02:46 PM #1
N.J. lawmakers call hearing on ICE courthouse arrests opposed by state's top judge
Updated on June 5, 2017 at 10:22 AM Posted on June 5, 2017 at 8:01 AM
S. P. Sullivan
TRENTON -- State lawmakers are convening a public hearing Monday on the practice of federal immigration officials arresting undocumented immigrants during routine appearances at New Jersey courthouses, a practice that has drawn scrutiny around the country.
The state Assembly judiciary committee will take testimony from lawyers, civil liberties groups and advocates for immigrants and victims of domestic violence, according to Assemblyman John McKeon, the committee's chairman.
The hearing comes more than a month after the chief justice of the state Supreme Court, Stuart Rabner, wrote a letter to federal Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly objecting to the arrests of immigrants at courthouses in Passaic and Middlesex counties by officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"When individuals fear that they will be arrested for a civil immigration violation if they set foot in a courthouse, serious consequences are likely to follow," Rabner wrote.
Rabner turned down an invitation to testify before the Assembly, McKeon said. A spokeswoman for the chief justice declined to comment.
Federal officials have shown no signs of backing down, arguing courthouse arrests are necessary because ICE's targets often live in the shadows under aliases and without regular employment, making a courthouse the safest option for law enforcement to take them into custody.
In his letter, Rabner contended that staking out unauthorized immigrants and arresting them in halls of justice "sends a chilling message."
McKeon said on Friday that lawmakers were particularly concerned about witnesses to serious crimes, who may be discouraged from testifying in court over deportation fears, which could undermine prosecutions.
Advocates also worry the practice will discourage undocumented victims of domestic violence from coming forward.
"This is just the wrong place to effectuate those arrests," McKeon said.
The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Statehouse Annex in Trenton.
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