On January 23, a dozen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents came unannounced and without a warrant to Ocean Seafood Depot, a Newark store. While eight people were initially rounded up, three of them had no documentation and were detained. The Newark raid sparked anger and unrest within the community.
In an interview with CBS, the owner of Ocean Seafood Depot reported how the ICE agents came during the morning and when the manager attempted to show his veteran’s card, the agents wouldn’t accept it.
David Salinas, one of the employees arrested, remembers feeling anxious and full of uncertainty. Other employees noted that the ICE agents were “heavily armed,” came unannounced, and blocked off all entrances and exits. They separated the Spanish-speaking employees and demanded to show identification. “I never imagined it would happen because we thought that in these times they were going after criminals or people who have some kind of prior, no?” Salinas stated. While he illegally crossed the US border in 2021, he says he has never committed a crime beyond the entry.
Salinas and the others were taken to Elizabeth Detention Center. On January 24, ICE informed Salinas’ loved ones about Salinas’ $10,000 bond. Thanks to donations from Salinas’ co-workers, relatives, and friends, Salinas was released on January 27. His co-worker, Robinson Sanchez, was also allowed to leave. Both were given notices to appear in court. However, the third co-worker, Salinas’ uncle, overstayed his visa. He is currently kept in detention and placed in deportation proceedings.
ICE called the raid a “routine operation” that was made in response to a tip and said it was unrelated to any initiatives of the new administration. In just nine days, ICE arrested over 7,400 people and marginally increased enforcement. Furthermore, ICE officials have been directed to arrest at least 1,200 to 1,500 people a day. However, there is a lack of details about where many of the arrests occurred, how many had criminal records, and how many have been detained or released.
In response to the raid, Newark’s mayor, Ras J. Baraka, stated that it was a violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized,” Baraka proclaimed. “I will be holding a press conference in alliance with partners ready and willing to defend and protect civil and human rights. Details to come.” Furthermore, New Jersey’s senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, stated how the raid sowed fear within the communities and that they will continue to work with Barkaka to ensure that New Jerseyians are safe and that their rights are protected. Meanwhile, Hoboken’s mayor, Ravi S. Bhalla, also issued a statement regarding the ICE raids. He reminded citizens that the Hoboken Police Department won’t assist in unlawfully detaining community members and won’t cooperate with ICE if it comes without a legal warrant.
On January 29, an email was sent to the Stevens community discussing the possibility that ICE agents may conduct more raids. If ICE agents do approach you, Stevens’ protocol is to stay calm and professional. Then, explain to the agent about the University policy to immediately contact the General Counsel and Chief of Stevens’ Campus Police. Call those individuals immediately and verify the agents’ credentials and their warrant.
If an ICE agent claims urgent circumstances for their immediate entry, don’t interfere, but you aren’t required to give consent. Furthermore, if they ask for information regarding a member of Stevens’ community, including where they are located, refer them to the Campus Police and the Office of General Counsel. Moreover, Stevens and its employers are required to comply with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which, unless certain circumstances occur, protects the privacy of a student’s educational record.
The offices of the Campus Police and the Office of General Counsel are available on a 24/7 basis. For the Campus Police, contact Chief Timothy Griffin using the police dispatch number 201-216-5105 or through tgriffin@stevens.edu. Furthermore, for the Office of General Counsel, contact Kathy Schulz through text or call at 212-677-5370 or through kschulz1@stevens.edu.
