HIGHTSTOWN: What’s the law?

Hightstown Resolution 2005-66 highlights

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   HIGHTSTOWN — While the borough earned national attention when Resolution 2005-66 first passed, no where in the 6-year-old law is the term “sanctuary city” used.
   Hightstown Resolution 2005-66 begins: “the Borough of Hightstown is comprised of immigrants from throughout the world who contribute to Hightstown’s social vigor, cultural richness, and economic vitality.”
   The resolution, which also encourages the passage of “rational and just immigration laws” passed unanimously on March 7, 2005.
   A copy of the resolution was sent to then President George Bush.
   The resolution was a direct response to actions by the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of Homeland Security.
   ”ICE officers have created the erroneous appearance that they are a part of, or associated with the Hightstown Borough Police, thereby substantially putting at risk the trust and confidence of the immigrant community which the Borough and its Police Department have cultivated for the past several years.”
   In 2004, ICE performed a series of raids upon undocumented residents of Hightstown, leading to the council and then Mayor Bob Patten to bring about the measure.
   ”ICE executed warrants in town,” said Hightstown Borough Police Chief James Eufemia said in an e-mail statement sent to the Herald Wednesday. “Our role was one of assistance, in that an uniformed officer accompanied the ICE agents to the specific address, and then maintained a local police presence. It is not uncommon for other policeagencies to request local assistance in these matters.”
   Part of the stated purpose found within the resolution was to restore “the trust Hightstown Borough residents have in the municipal government and police department, so that all Hightstown residents and visitors, including all immigrants, can have the confidence to contact and interact with local police without fear of immigration consequences.”
   The resolution also states that fear of immigration enforcement “could lead to a loss of trust and confidence of the immigrant community in the Borough police (that) threatens the health, safety, and welfare of the entire Hightstown community.”
   Recently, the resolution has been questioned by Councilwoman Skye Gilmartin and former fire chief John Archer, both Republican candidates for Borough Council in the General Election November 8.
   Last weekend, a public poll to all registered voters took place as part of the candidates’ exploratory team addressing illegal immigration issues, as the Herald previously reported in April.
   Several people spoke out against the poll in support of the 2005 resolution at Monday night’s borough council meeting.
   ”We have generally stayed together, in part I think, because of the resolution,” said Deborah MacMillan, president of the League of Women Voters of East Windsor-Hightstown, during public comment Monday. “So, I personally would be opposed with scrapping the resolution”
   Hightstown resident Dan Buriak and member of the Historic Preservation Commission also addressed Borough Council. “We need to start working together as a community,” Mr. Buriak said.
   Later on in the evening, Councilwoman Selena Bibens, a Republican, agreed with that sentiment.
   ”We have a phenomenal community here. And we need to get back to that,” she said.