The new mayor of Jersey City said he is limiting access to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents looking to conduct operations within the city.
Mayor James Solomon, a Democrat, signed an executive order on Friday that bars ICE agents from using city-owned properties as they operate in New Jersey’s second-largest city.
“What we are witnessing in America right now is an assault on families,” Solomon said at a press conference. “In Jersey City, we are going to choose a different path. We choose to protect everyone in the city, including immigrants.”
The executive order prohibits immigration enforcement officers from using Jersey City’s parking lots, vacant lots, parks and garages to process detainees, set up bases for operations or do other work.
City officials will ensure there are physical barriers on city property, including locked gates, to limit access to federal agents, the executive order says.
“What this order does is draw a clear line,” Solomon said. “Jersey City’s resources, our property, our personnel, our tax dollars will not be weaponized against our own residents.”
ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request to comment.
Jersey City Councilman James Solomon at his election night victory for mayor in Jersey City last year.Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
The city will also partner with immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to inform city officials and local residents of their rights should they come in contact with federal immigration authorities, the mayor said.
The executive order was one of Solomon’s first acts as mayor. He took office earlier this month, replacing outgoing Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
Several state officials and advocates spoke at Friday’s press conference, applauding Solomon’s expansion of immigrant protections.
U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-10th Dist., said Jersey City’s executive order will help push back against ICE agents who are “cruel” to those living in the community.
“We have to have leaders like Mayor Solomon and those at our State House who are protecting our residents from this federal government,” said McIver.
McIver is facing three felony counts stemming from a May 2025 confrontation at Delaney Hall, a federal immigration detention facility in Newark. She denies the charges.
U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, D-8th Dist., also spoke out in favor of Jersey City’s executive order.
“We know that Trump lied about what his immigration enforcement would look like,” Menendez said, referring to non-criminals being targeted by ICE.
“ICE’s own data shows that the people they are detaining — separating from their families and communities — are not criminals,” said Menendez.