ACLU sues Biden administration to halt transfer of immigrant detainees from Essex County

NEWARK, NJ — In its first legal challenge to an immigration policy filed during the Biden administration, the American Civil Liberties Union launched a federal class-action lawsuit on June 30 that seeks to block immediately the long-distance transfer of ICE detainees from the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. The case was brought by the […]

Commissioners voice support for Senate bill S3361

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On June 22, the State Senate Budget Committee passed NJ State Senate bill S3361, which prohibits the state, local government agencies and private detention facilities operating in this state from entering into, renewing or extending immigration detention agreements with ICE.  “On behalf of the entire board, I wish to express support […]

County commissioners adopt resolution calling for state to prohibit jails from housing undocumented individuals

County commissioners adopt resolution calling for state to prohibit jails from housing undocumented individuals

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On June 9, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution of support for New Jersey State Senate and Assembly bills S3361/A5207. If signed into law, the bills would prohibit state, local government agencies and private detention facilities from entering into, renewing or extending agreements with federal immigration authorities […]

County breaks off contract with ICE to make room for UC prisoners

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Just one week after announcing that the Essex County Correctional Facility will begin housing detainees from Union County effective July 1, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced that the county has notified ICE to remove its detainees from the ECCF.  “We have had a very solid working relationship with […]

Freeholders oppose transfer of ICE detainees to out-of-state facilities

Freeholders oppose transfer of ICE detainees to out-of-state facilities

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On July 9, the Essex County freeholders approved a resolution opposing the transfer of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees to facilities in different states around the country. The resolution expressed the board’s opposition to this practice, and called on the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to promptly halt all […]

Freeholders demand release of detainees held solely due to immigration status

Freeholders demand release of detainees held solely due to immigration status

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On June 10, Essex County Freeholder President Brendan Gill and the Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a resolution demanding the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement promptly grant the release of all detainees currently incarcerated due solely to their immigration status. The Essex County Correctional Facility has housed […]

Drivers protest ICE detention in Essex County

Drivers protest ICE detention in Essex County

NEWARK, NJ — Social distancing guidelines are preventing gatherings from happening but not preventing protests from happening. Members of the New Jersey Advocates for Immigrant Detainees circled around the federal building and the Essex County Jail in Newark on April 1, in their cars, asking state and county officials to release immigrants who are being […]

Two major investigations into carjacking rings lead to 42 prison sentences

Two major investigations into carjacking rings lead to 42 prison sentences

TRENTON, NJ — On Dec. 13, Attorney Gen. Gurbir Grewal announced final results of “Operation Jacked” and “Operation 17 Corridor,” major investigations and prosecutions that targeted international carjacking and stolen car-trafficking rings. The operations led to arrests and charges against more than 50 ring members in 2014 and 2015, and recovery of approximately 250 stolen […]

Allegations of abuse at Essex County Jail deemed unfounded by ECPO

Allegations of abuse at Essex County Jail deemed unfounded by ECPO

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II announced Nov. 26 that the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, more commonly known as the Internal Affairs Unit, has concluded that claims made by two ICE detainees that they were abused while in custody at the Essex County Jail were not […]