UNION CITY, New Jersey (WABC) — Local leaders in Union City are concerned after two men were arrested by ICE agents outside a church over the weekend.
While the Department of Homeland Security confirms agents detained two men, it is denying that it specifically targeted a house of worship.
The gathering of ICE agents on the street stirred a lot of suspicion Sunday morning.
Residents started recording the activities as two men were taken into custody outside of the church on 19th Street.
Officials say the men were targeted because they were undocumented.
According to the pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Dios De Amor, the two men detained by ICE have been in the United States for over 10 years and both are active members of the church, even leading bible study some weeks.
The two men are reportedly being held at Delaney Hall in Newark.
The sight of the men being taken into custody has shocked many in the community. The congressman that represents the district says the tactics being used by ICE have crossed the line.
Rep. Robert Menendez Jr. said even the undocumented have rights.
“That’s important to remember that both citizens, people here unprotected status, people here with a green card, people here with work authorization, people here on an undocumented basis, have rights,” Menendez said. “And what you see is a complete infringement of those rights by this administration.”
Just last week, Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order banning ICE from state property. The state also created a portal to upload images of agents and launched a website to inform people of their rights.
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.