The ACLU of New Jersey has issued a statement regarding Mayor Baraka's recent appearance in federal court. Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey, addressed the situation with pointed remarks.
Sinha stated, "Mayors are not agents of federal immigration enforcement and their job is to protect their constituents, especially from federal policies that place limits on fundamental rights at the core of our democracy." He further noted that Mayor Baraka was specifically targeted by the Trump administration due to his refusal to comply with its actions, which Sinha described as ongoing violations of due process.
Sinha also criticized what he called a "shameful intimidation campaign" by the president against those who oppose him. He added, "It's clear that the Trump administration is trying to silence opposition through fear. But New Jersey will not be intimidated by authoritarianism."
The comments come amidst a broader national conversation about the role local leaders play in immigration enforcement and how they respond to federal policies perceived as overreaching.
