ASSELTA URGES VAN DREW TO JOIN HIM IN CALLING ON GOVERNOR FOR ACTION ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

ASSELTA URGES VAN DREW TO JOIN HIM IN CALLING ON GOVERNOR FOR ACTION ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION 

(VINELAND August 16) - First District Senator Nick Asselta --responding to Democrat Jeff Van Drew’s comment that “lax enforcement of immigration rules is a federal shortcoming, not a state failure” -- today urged Van Drew to join him in calling on the Governor to further strengthen New Jersey’s enforcement of laws against illegal immigration by moving to have State law enforcement authorities be trained and deputized to help Federal authorities enforce immigration and custom laws under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and, further, to seek passage of and sign State legislation outlawing so-called “Sanctuary Cities.”

“Democrat Jeff Van Drew told The Press of Atlantic City that ‘lax enforcement of immigration rules is a federal shortcoming, not a state failure.’ He couldn’t be more wrong if he tried,” said Asselta. “Has the Federal Government handled the problem of illegal immigration properly? No. It has failed miserably, and our State’s residents are paying the price. Is that an excuse for us at the state level to merely bury our head in the sand and say, ‘It’s not my problem -- go talk to that man over there?’ No. When the Federal Government drops the ball, it is up to us to take action at the State level. I urge Jeff to join me in calling on the Governor to convene a special session of the State legislature, so that we can address these issues now, before another tragedy occurs.

“For instance, not enforcing laws against illegal immigration is bad enough,” Asselta continued. “But for a city council in this state to declare the city a so-called ‘Sanctuary City’ -- where they actually pass an ordinance PROHIBITING their city officials and law enforcement authorities from asking about someone’s immigration status, or cooperating with Federal immigrations and customs officials to enforce the law -- well, that’s beyond bad. It’s NUTS.

“New Jersey law should prohibit any New Jersey municipality from declaring itself a ‘Sanctuary City,’ and I call on the Governor to seek passage of legislation to prohibit such declarations, and to sign that legislation as soon as we can get it to his desk.

“Moreover, as my Assembly running mates Norris Clark and Michael Donohue joined me in suggesting in recent days, we believe it is imperative that New Jersey State law enforcement authorities be trained and deputized to assist Federal immigration and customs officials to assist them in the enforcement of Federal law, under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and we call on the Governor to issue an Executive Order to this effect immediately.

“This would mean that State Troopers and State Correctional Officers would receive the training and authority to assist Federal officials. Moreover, we believe it is time for the Governor to use the powers at his disposal to persuade county and municipal law enforcement authorities that they, too, should participate in the program -- and if he or his counsel suggest he has no legal authority to do that, then he should seek passage of such enabling legislation and sign it as soon as we can get it to his desk.

“Jeff, again, the ball is back in your court. You’ve been conspicuously silent on how to handle the problems caused by illegal immigration. I’m giving you the chance here to join me in calling on the Governor for immediate action. Will you join me, or will you continue to bury your head in the sand?”

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Paid for by Asselta Clark Donohue