In Jersey City this week, federal immigration enforcement at the 9th Street Light Rail Station has placed Jersey City at the center of a tense confrontation between local government and federal authorities, prompting Mayor James Solomon to speak directly to residents about their rights and the city’s policies.
The light rail station, a routine transit hub for commuters, became the center of concern after reports surfaced that federal agents had been active in the area. The presence of immigration enforcement at a public transportation site raised questions among residents about safety, legality, and what protections existed for people who might encounter federal officers in such settings.
- Mayor James Solomon reaffirmed that Jersey City will not assist ICE without a judge-signed warrant and barred the use of city property for immigration raids.
- Solomon advised residents that they do not have to open their doors, may remain silent, and should not sign documents they don’t understand during immigration encounters.
- Following ICE activity at the 9th Street Light Rail Station, local and Hudson County officials, including Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour and Commissioner Craig Guy, challenged federal enforcement practices in the area.
Mayor Solomon’s Direct Message to Residents
Within days of those reports, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon addressed the community directly, linking the incident to a recently signed executive order aimed at strengthening protections for immigrant residents.
“I want to be direct with our residents: you have rights, and this city will defend them,” Solomon said in a public statement to the community.
His message served both as reassurance and as a practical guide for residents who might face immigration enforcement. He clearly stated that people are not obligated to open their doors unless federal agents present a warrant signed by a judge. He also reminded residents that they have the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation during any interaction with federal authorities.
Solomon went further, cautioning residents against signing documents they do not fully understand, saying plainly, “Do not sign anything you do not understand.”
What the Executive Order Does
These statements were not made in isolation. Just days earlier, Solomon had signed an executive order formalizing Jersey City’s policy toward federal immigration enforcement. That order prohibits Jersey City police officers from assisting federal agents unless a valid judicial warrant is presented. It also bars the use of city-owned property as a staging area for immigration raids.
Taken together, these policies were designed to allow immigrant families to live and work in Jersey City without fear of federal raids while preserving trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
The enforcement activity at the 9th Street Light Rail Station also prompted a response from neighboring Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour, who sought clarification about what federal agents were doing in the area and how their actions might affect residents on both sides of the city boundary.
How Jersey City Views Its Immigrant Community
Solomon’s message to residents moved beyond legal protections and spoke directly to how Jersey City views its immigrant population.
“You should not be a target, you are our neighbors. You built this city. You belong here,” he said, framing immigrants as integral members of the community rather than outsiders.
Under the city’s executive order, Jersey City has adopted a formal policy of non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts that lack proper judicial warrants. City officials have described this approach as a way to prevent what they consider unlawful federal tactics while maintaining local public safety.
Hudson County Officials Respond
Across Hudson County, the light rail incident sparked additional reactions. Local officials began discussing the scope and methods of federal immigration enforcement in the region, particularly when operations take place in highly trafficked public spaces.
Officials reiterated that residents should understand their constitutional rights, including the requirement that federal agents present a judicial warrant and the individual right to remain silent. These reminders were part of ongoing community education efforts about legal protections during encounters with federal authorities.
Hudson County Commissioner Craig Guy joined the regional response, taking action against what he described as “unlawful federal immigration tactics” in reaction to the increased enforcement activity.
Why Jersey City’s Policy Exists
Within Jersey City, city leaders pointed to the practical purpose of their executive order: ensuring that immigrant residents feel safe reporting crimes, cooperating with police investigations, and engaging with local services without fear that doing so could lead to deportation.
Mayor Solomon’s remarks were intended to reassure immigrant families while reminding all residents that legal protections apply regardless of immigration status.
City Maintains Protections Going Forward
City officials confirmed that the executive order remains active and continues to guide how local government and police respond to federal enforcement actions. They also said they would keep residents informed about their rights and about how the city intends to defend them.
As federal immigration activity continues to occur in the region, Jersey City has committed to monitoring such operations within its borders while maintaining its policy of limiting cooperation with federal agents in the absence of judicial warrants.
Residents who encounter immigration enforcement are encouraged to remember that federal agents must present a judge-signed warrant, that individuals have the right to remain silent, and that they are entitled to legal representation.
