Belleville, NJ – Multiple Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations were carried out Monday in Belleville, with several landscaping workers reportedly taken into federal custody, according to a statement released by Mayor Frank Vélez.
The mayor said he was informed of enforcement activity at Rutgers Street and Van Reyper Place. The statement cited witness accounts from both locations and noted that ICE later confirmed its presence in the township.
Mayor details enforcement activity
“Earlier today, I was made aware of multiple ICE operations that took place on Rutgers Street and Van Reyper Place,” Vélez said in the statement.
“Based on information provided by witnesses at both locations, multiple landscaping workers were taken into ICE custody,” the mayor added.
Vélez also said, “ICE has also confirmed its presence in Belleville today.”
Federal agency has not released additional details
As of Tuesday, ICE had not publicly released information regarding the number of individuals taken into custody, their identities, or the specific nature of the enforcement operation.
No criminal charges or immigration violations involving those detained have been announced by federal authorities. Additional details about the operation have not yet been released.
Shore News Network has reached out to ICE for additional information and will update this story as more details become available.