Immigration activists protest after 46 detained during ICE warehouse raid in New Jersey
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Immigration activists in New Jersey are calling on state lawmakers to protect immigrants after 46 workers were swept up in an ICE raid in Avenel.
Protesters rallied on Thursday morning outside of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin's office in Woodbridge in response to the raid.
It comes two weeks after federal agents raided the Savino Del Bene Shipping warehouse and made dozens of arrests.
The protesters say even people with legal work permits to be in the country were picked up in the chaos.
Shortly after the raid, several Middlesex County lawmakers released a joint statement that said in part, "Our state and district are at their best when dignity and justice are upheld for all...And we remain committed to ensuring that the diverse families and residents we cherish can continue to live in the communities they love without fear."
Activists are calling for passage of the Immigrant Trust Act to bar state and local police from helping ICE conduct raids.
"This is not about law enforcement, this is about control and intimidation, they didn't raid corporate boardrooms, they raided warehouses, targeting the very people who keep New Jersey running," one activist said.
So far there is no response from Coughlin.
Officials with Homeland Security say they stand behind the arrests and said the 46 people arrested were in the U.S. illegally.
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