The recent announcement by the Sherill administration of a portal that encourages citizens to film Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents is a dangerous policy putting politics over public safety. ICE is hardly new and has been active under Presidents from both sides of the aisle since 2003. In fact, the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement Agency was established in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to help keep our nation secure. 

So why only now has it become so political? I think we all know the answer. We saw similar political tactics in 2020 during the “Defund the Police” movement. In the words of the great Yogi Berra, “it is déjà vu all over again.” ICE is now the Democrats’ latest political target to help advance a political agenda.

Rather than allow local law enforcement to work in collaboration with ICE to arrest the worst offenders, Sherill’s administration is inviting the same type of chaos seen in Minneapolis here to New Jersey. Instead of demonstrating leadership and taking steps to diffuse tensions that have potential for violent escalation, these proposed policies will only escalate tensions, endangering the public and law enforcement alike.

While we can certainly have empathy for those who died in Minneapolis and their loved ones, all of our brave law enforcement officers deserve our compassion and support regardless of which branch they serve. America is based on a system of laws, and our law enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing laws they neither created nor have the authority to change. Nonetheless, these men and women on the front lines are being vilified by anyone who disagrees with the laws they are enforcing, becoming targets themselves. 

It is appalling that this administration is seemingly following the wisdom of Tim Walz by applauding volatile resistance to law enforcement to score political points. Mikie Sherrill seems to be laying the groundwork to work her way back to Washington, DC, rather than focusing on the major affordability crisis faced by New Jersey residents due to eight long years under Democratic control of our state.

About the NJGOP

The New Jersey Republican State Committee is the official entity of the Republican National Committee and represents more than 1.6 million Republicans registered in New Jersey.

The NJGOP is headed by State Chair Christine Giordano Hanlon who also serves as Monmouth County Clerk. For more information, visit NJGOP.org.