The clash is growing between local and federal governments over “sanctuary” policies for undocumented immigrants.
Several New Jersey cities are at the center of clash including Hoboken, where Mayor Ravi Bhalla is standing firm in his refusal to rescind the city’s sanctuary policy. Bhalla has affirmed his position despite sharp warnings from the Trump administration and a direct threat from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The U.S. Department of Justice has targeted Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark and Paterson, accusing them of policies that obstruct immigration enforcement and threatening criminal charges if they continue. Bhalla calls the administration’s demands “egregious” and “distressing.”
“We’re taking a strong stance on this because this goes to the core of our identity as Americans and in Hoboken, we are a city based upon immigrants,” Bhalla said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News.
“We’re a city based upon people who believe in equal rights under the law,” he said, adding, “We are not afraid to defend our city and our country. What is happening across the country is unconstitutional, it’s un-American and it’s frankly disgraceful. We will fight tooth and nail.”
