Protesters Again Blast Sheriff’s ICE Proposal, Petitions Presented by Farmworker Rep

CREST HAVEN – About 75-80 protesters, some carrying signs that read “ACLU – Dissent is Patriotic” and “Love Trumps Hate” attended the March 14 Cape May County freeholder meeting. 
Except one, speakers opposed Sheriff Gary Schaffer’s request that three corrections officers be trained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program to handle criminal aliens who arrive at the county correctional center. Schaffer did not attend this or the Feb. 28 meeting.
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The attendees approximately doubled from the Feb. 28 meeting.
County Counsel James Arsenault stated that the only request by the sheriff was an application for the jail program for persons presenting at the jail for classification. He added it is not in the request that the county correctional center becomes an ICE detention center.
He noted Essex and Hudson counties had made application to contract for bed space as part of the federal program. That is not the program under which Cape May County applied, Arsenault, said.
Fred Long again requested the withdrawal of the proposal under review by federal officials. “I don’t think local county taxes and local assets should funnel people into the federal deportation system. I don’t think our local taxpayers should be subsidizing the federal government,” Long said.
Jessica Culley, general coordinator, Farmworkers Support Committee, based regionally in Glassboro, had presented the board with a 700-signature petition opposing the measure Feb. 28. On March 14, she presented the board with a box filled with, she said, petitions bearing 4,600 signatures. Her action drew applause.
She fears that, if the proposal is realized, racial profiling and separation of families of undocumented aliens will take place, and the economic impact on the county will be great.
Further, she voiced concern that cooperation with ICE “could lead to lack of due process” for persons in the jail.
Dr. Helen McCaffrey, the sole advocate for the advancement of the proposal, rehearsed a case in Rio Grande some years ago when an alien immigrant male raped a 6-year-old girl. 
Due to a “bureaucratic mix-up after six months, the man was allowed out,” she said. Allowed back in his apartment, “That child was terrorized by that man and his friend,” McCaffrey said.
The case was turned over to the County Prosecutor, she said, and the man was taken away by an ICE agent.
“The government’s first obligation is to protect its citizens,” said McCaffrey. She noted that members of her family are immigrants. “I am very very welcoming to immigrants who do it the right way. The government’s first job is to protect its citizens if it means supporting 287(g) no matter what,” she said.
Dr. Steven Fenichel of Ocean City asked freeholders “Why does the sheriff want you to support a resolution?”
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton replied, “Doctor, I want everyone to know we have bee notifying ICE for many years. We have been doing it many years during the Obama Administration…When they are arrested; they automatically go through the NCIC which turns up warrants in another jurisdiction. If they are an illegal alien that’s when we notify ICE.”
Thornton added that no procedure has changed in that jail intake process.
William Causey of West Cape May, who addressed the board Feb. 28, said, “I hope you understand and take into consideration what this is doing to this community, and what these people mean to our community as people, as families, and just as importantly what it means to our community with a $6-billion (tourism industry). It means a lot; it will affect it. There are plenty of other places for them to go for employment. If they leave, we will know it.”
He stated the law states that the scope of county ICE involvement could enlarge from the jail to the street.
“What could stop them from adding onto that down the line?” Causey asked.
“It’s a deep concern of mine. It is obviously a deep concern of the people here. I intend to make this a point. We are going to stay with this. We’re going to follow what is going on. This is not going to go away,” Causey added. “We are concerned about those who come here as employees during the season…Whether they are legal or not, they are here. They are still afraid they can be arrested.”
Thornton puzzled, if workers are here, they must be legal if they have Social Security numbers. An undercurrent of laughter broke out.
“Whether they’re legal or not, if they’re here they’re still afraid. They still think they can be arrested for something. They still feel they are being discriminated against,” said Causey.
“Ultimately, what is the solution?” asked Freeholder Will Morey of Causey.
“The process of what you’re doing, with the fear you are instilling in these people that I don’t think is fair. It has an impact on all those…” Causey said.
“What’s fair?” asked Morey.
“There’s got to be a fair way of going about this. There’s got to be some way of communicating with these people to let them know how you’re going to implement. This whole thing was done without any awareness to the public at all until it came out in the paper. It’s a done deal, and the sheriff’s already made the application. It’s going to go through. Whether you guys approve it or not, you already said it’s the sheriff’s responsibility, he’s going to do it. So it’s going to be done,” said Causey.
“I don’t think so,” Morey replied. “What’s fair? I’m interested. This is not a setup question. I’m trying to understand,” he added.
“No, here’s where the problem is, that’s your job to figure out, not mine,” Causey said. Applause was heard.
“They came tonight because they think something isn’t fair. I’m trying to understand your perspective,” said Morey. “I have an obligation to make a decision, but I also have an obligation to what people have to say. I’m just trying to understand. Maybe this is a giant, big, complicated problem; this is a step we shouldn’t take.”
Causey ended by urging the board to understand the impact it has on people, and make any ruling as clear as possible.
“I’m not telling you how to do your job,” said Causey.
“That’s helpful, thank you,” said Morey.