On March 5th, 2026, Trump issued a statement announcing that Kristi Noem would be leaving her position. Noem has been under fire for her mishandling of the deaths of two American citizens during the ICE operation “Metro Surge” that resulted in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. During the first year of Trump’s second term, Noem served as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, an agency that the American people strongly protested for its conduct on immigration policies.
Noem came under the latest scrutiny during her congressional hearing. In the hearing, lawmakers asked Noem why she used $220 million in taxpayer money to fund an ad campaign she said Trump personally approved.
Trump told Reuters on Thursday, “I never knew anything about the ad campaign.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem filming an ad at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, Oct. 2, 2025. Tia Dufour | DHS
The most significant legal and political consequences revolve around Governor Noem’s testimony about her top aide, Corey Lewandowski. When questioned about whether Lewandowski had a role in approving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracts, she responded with a flat “No.” However, internal DHS records and ProPublica reports later revealed his signature on multimillion-dollar contract routing sheets. This has led to accusations that she lied under oath.
Noem sparked a lively debate after her comments on two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, tragically shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Even amidst significant pushback and conflicting evidence, she stood firm in her stance, choosing not to apologize for calling them “domestic terrorists.”
Noem has a legacy defined in mistrust and a lack of transparency for the American people, who have fought since the beginning of the second term of Donald Trump for accountability of ICE agents and internal policies.
Amid widespread resident outrage over a warehouse sale, New Jersey residents stand against ICE in Roxbury. DG Roxbury Property Owner, L.P., linked to Dallas-based Dalfen Industrial and a Goldman Sachs asset management fund, sold a 470,000-square-foot warehouse at 1879 Route 46 in Roxbury to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for ICE. The deal closed on February 19, 2026, for $129.3 million, raising concerns about the local community’s future and the influence of corporate and financial interests. The protest drew over 150 people from Roxbury and neighboring towns. With signs held up that said NO ICE and referencing the disgraced Trump admin as equal to nazis many spoke up for what they believed in.
Credit: No ICE North Jersey Alliance. Aerial view of the Roxbury warehouse sold to ICE.
Roxbury Township in Morris County, NJ, is a suburban area with about 23,111 residents as of 2023 and an average age of 43.3. The community is mostly white, comprising roughly 71-80% of the population, and has a median household income of over $130,000. The poverty rate is low, at approximately 5.4%.
The call is clear: get ICE out of New Jersey. The GSA, which oversees the sale and leasing of property, has been contacted and requested documents related to the sale of the warehouse. The agency responded to the request and alerted The Penny Tribune that they will try to release the documents pertaining to another property in Roseland, NJ, as well as the detention facility in Newark, NJ. The GSA confirmed this on February 19th 2026, they would release the files.
A video submitted by a protester shows them walking up to the group of people. A line formed along the street as drivers passed by, witnessing their community standing up for the non-citizen population.
The last statewide state of emergency occurred in 1996. New Jersey has not seen snowfall totals like the February 2026 blizzard since 2021.
The Garden State saw record snowfall over the weekend and into the early week beginning February 22nd, 2026, through Monday. Executive Order No. 45 was issued on January 8, 1996, for severe weather, terminating on January 13, 1996. Thirty years ago, the entire state was placed under a state of emergency due to blizzard warnings. Three decades later, the state is under extreme conditions with a majority of the state receiving at least fifteen inches of snow. Record-breaking numbers with some areas receiving over thirty inches. In 1996, the turnpike closed for the first time in its history. This time in 2026, crews worked around the clock to ensure everyone’s safety. With a ban on all travel except for essential workers, many used roadways to reach their jobs. Below is a photo of the Garden State Parkway near mile marker 83, with a crew clearing snow buildup and salting the roadways.
Lyndhurst, NJ, saw 30.7 inches of snow, a record for the area. Many other parts of New Jersey saw power outages, with over 150,000 people without power, according to energy provider Jersey Central Power & Light. Over 2,000 flights have been cancelled since the storm began, causing chaos for travellers who need to travel for events such as family emergencies, work, and pleasure.
Users on Threads submitted photos showing the magnitude of the storm.
Meet Food Not Bombs, a grassroots organization helping communities not only in New Jersey but across the country. Explore the Jersey Shore Network.
About 1 in 7 Americans live in households that have difficulty affording food, with nearly 18 million skipping meals. [source] FRAC is the main source for hunger statistics by race, indicating that food insecurity among Black (24.4%) and Hispanic (20.2%) households stays notably higher than the national average.
“One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
Public Law 119-21, signed on July 4, 2025, details a $187 billion reduction in SNAP and Medicaid funding. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and Feeding America Action examined the potential impacts, particularly emphasizing the expanded work requirements for adults up to age 64 and the removal of eligibility for certain non-citizens, including refugees and asylees.
In New Jersey, the number of individuals getting SNAP benefits (commonly known as “NJ SNAP”) has varied considerably over the past year because of policy updates and economic changes.
According to the most recent data from the New Jersey Department of Human Services (December 2025), roughly 800,000 people receive SNAP benefits in the state. [source]
On September 20, 2025, the USDA stated it would end future Household Food Security Reports, citing them as “redundant” and “politicized.” This decision has sparked significant controversy among food security advocates.
Who is Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs (FNB) is a decentralized, international volunteer network that salvages food destined for disposal and distributes it as free vegan and vegetarian meals. Instead of functioning as a conventional charity, the organization sees itself as a form of nonviolent direct action, protesting war, poverty, and the “military-industrial complex”.
Values:
Always Vegan or Vegetarian
Autonomous and Decentralized
Solidarity, Not Charity
The group was founded in 1980 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by activists opposed to nuclear energy. Their first protest occurred outside the Federal Reserve Bank in 1981, protesting nuclear sector investments. Today, Food Not Bombs has over 1,000 chapters across 60 countries. In addition to providing meals, chapters often support protests, strikes, and occupations logistically. They were among the first to deliver food during disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Asian Tsunami.
In New Jersey, several active or historically significant chapters share food in public spaces. Known locations include:
New Brunswick: Historically, it has served on Tuesday mornings at the corner of French St. and Jersey Ave., often offering coffee and bread to workers and unhoused individuals.
Trenton: Has shared meals at locations like the Imani Center on Sundays.
Asbury Park (Jersey Shore): Operates as a local collective serving the shore community.
Camden, Jersey City, and Hoboken have also hosted independent FNB collectives.
Food Not Bombs plays a vital role in supporting communities that have been neglected by their government.
Explore the action on February 20th, 2026, in Lakewood, NJ.
New Jersey braces for an impactful storm affecting all 21 counties, a state of emergency is in effect starting February 22nd at 12pm
New Jersey is bracing for a historic weather event beginning on February 22nd, 2026, with blizzard conditions along the shore and significant snowfall throughout the rest of the state. Safety is essential, and Gov. Sherrill has issued a state of emergency effective on February 22nd at 12 pm and set to expire when conditions are safe and improve. The governor met with five key members of the state in Mapleshade, NJ, today, issuing remarks on the Office of Emergency Management, NJ Transit, and updates on state infrastructure.
Governor Sherrill State of Emergency Press Release:
Key updates:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
154 PM EST Sat Feb 21 2026
BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 6 PM EST MONDAY (February 23rd 2026)
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations
between 16 and 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* WHEN...From 10 AM Sunday to 6 PM EST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of
blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel,
have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with
your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are
calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
The national weather service has issued severe warnings across the state due to the threat of life from the storm. All people are encouraged to shelter in place.
Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera: A service-driven future leader for FL District 6. Protecting Social Security, housing, and families. #UnitedUnafraid
When family values create a politician:
Beginning in the concrete jungle of New York City gave a future politician the values to lead the Sixth District of the Sunshine State of Florida. Because of his upbringing, Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera pledges to bring his leadership back to his roots. He was born and raised in New York City, in a working-class family with limited resources. One of his core values is that family comes first. His family taught him to work hard and stay honest. Values we can all agree a politician should have, and that working-class families in New York and Florida share.
“You worked hard, stayed honest, and treated people with respect. Service was not something we talked about; it was something we lived every day. That upbringing shaped who I am and how I serve today.”
Ronnie is guided by his mother, who has shaped him to know to do what is right, even when it is hard. His mother taught him strength, honesty, and compassion; these values became the foundation for the promises Ronnie makes to serve the people of the 6th district. When Ronnie faces difficult decisions, integrity, fairness, and courage guide him. His mother’s lessons guide him every day.
Ronnie and his mom. Kim, 2006.
When a career in service showed a failed system:
Working in EMS and later in law enforcement exposed him to life at its hardest moments, when people were most vulnerable. He witnessed families losing loved ones, seniors alone with no support, and working people struggling just to survive. Those experiences stayed with him every day. They taught Ronnie that public service is not a theory; it is personal. It is about standing with people when they feel invisible and ensuring systems protect them rather than fail them.
Randy Fine has done the opposite with proposed laws like no welfare for non-citizens, despite the fact that people without a social security number already do not qualify, and attempting to enact the “No Sharia” law, stoking Islamophobia
Ronnie’s life experiences have shaped not only his mission but also his future as a politician to the people of Florida. Ronnie’s first job was serving the people. Teaching him in his early career more about life than anything else. He exemplifies the understanding of struggle, fear, hope, and strength in a single shift as a first responder. A powerful testimant he learned that work is about purpose, showing up when people need you most, and making a difference in real lives. Lives that contribute billions of dollars to communities and a constituent base of everyday working-class families.
Ronnie’s first job at Bed Stuy Volunteer EMS
The American dream has faded for many people, but the teachings of working-class struggle shaped Ronnie. Earlier in life, he believed hard work guaranteed stability. Real life showed Ronnie that it was not always true. Seeing hardworking families still struggling with healthcare, housing, and rising costs, listening to people, and seeing those gaps changed his perspective. He chose to grow. Growth is something everyone should commit to daily, especially our politicians. Leadership means learning, listening, and being willing to change when truth demands it. Ronnie pledges those core beliefs he feels are a politician’s duty.
The Commitments of a Future Representative
Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera is making an impact, letting Randy Fine know that nothing is fine. Ronnie is a left-leaning progressive Democrat with the self-identified label of “Radical Leftist Scum”. The slur was launched by Donald Trump in December of 2025. The RLS movement has now spread worldwide and has become a major trending topic on social media for months. RLS is not, in fact, radical; it affirms that all people are granted their constitutional rights and the freedom to pursue personal progress. Residents in the sixth district want to reclaim their home taken over by right-wing ideology. A change in perspective, currently shaping Florida is what constituents want.
Florida’s 6th Congressional District exemplifies Florida’s dual character: it combines the lively vibrancy of the “World’s Most Famous Beach” with peaceful inland agricultural areas. Located on the northeastern coast, it extends inland toward Central Florida’s core.
Voters in the 6th district are demanding change. Rising housing costs threaten the sustainability of lifelong residents. Two-thirds of voters are retired or nearing retirement and fear for their Social Security benefits. Ronnie pledges to represent them.
In 2026, the debate over Social Security has shifted from a theoretical “looming crisis” to a pressing legislative priority, as the trust fund exhaustion date—now projected as early as 2032—falls within the terms of Senators elected this year.
Ronnie on the issue –
“These programs are earned benefits from a lifetime of work. I will protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts and privatization. I will fight to lower prescription drug costs, strengthen healthcare access, and protect the dignity and security of our seniors. Retirement should bring peace of mind, not fear.”
Families are feeling the weight of rising costs every day. Housing, healthcare, and groceries are stretching budgets. Ronnie is fighting to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, support fair wages, expand affordable housing, and ensure working families are not left behind. American Stability should not feel out of reach for the working class. A future of possibility strengthens communities across America; it shapes the values of millions striving to be citizens of the United States.
Ronnie on the current administration’s immigration policy:
“A nation of laws must also be a nation of justice. We need real immigration reform, humane policies, and accountability. Families belong together, human rights come first, and yes we must abolish ICE and replace it with a system that is lawful, transparent, and rooted in dignity.”
A strong opponent is needed to unseat Randy Fine, the successor to Michael Waltz, leaving his position to serve the Trump administration. An admin who poses challenges to politicians not part of the status quo. Communities across America shape the values of millions. Ronnie pledges and shows that he is the opponent to defeat Randy Fine.
When asked how he plans to win, a clear response and a value-based plan is seen,
“My campaign is about people, not division. Progressive values mean opportunity, fairness, healthcare, education, and dignity for everyone. Many extreme policies come from fear and distraction instead of real solutions. My focus is lowering costs, protecting healthcare, strengthening Social Security, and making government work for everyday people.”
Millions were promised fair housing, lower costs, and affordable solutions to their challenges. The Trump administration has failed, and so has Randy Fine. The call is clear: a candidate with the grit to fight and challenge toxic MAGA ideologies must win this election in Florida’s 6th District. The people need it, and Ronnie wants them to know he is ready. The fight will continue every day, and justice will be served through equitable public service for the people, not the elite.
Ronnie founded a nonprofit in New York City helping homeless families, children, veterans, and anyone in need get food, shelter, and support. Committed to working with local food banks and outreach programs, he served in a way that reflected his drive to help the neighbors he saw struggling. Ronnie volunteered as a music teacher in a New York City public school and later coached youth football for the Mount Dora Hurricanes, mentoring young people on discipline, teamwork, and character.
“I was drawn to this work because when you see a need, you step forward. Strong communities are built when we lift each other up.”
To Ronnie, “United Unafraid” represents unity, strength, and courage. Communities are strongest when they stand together and refuse to be divided. Something Randy Fine has not committed to every day, but instead has chosen to spread division. The constituents want Unity. These values reflect honesty, resilience, and shared purpose. Together, everyone overcomes and moves forward. The mission is clear: unify the people and secure the prospects of communities for future generations, as one-fifth of voters are entering adulthood and now face navigating policies in a broken system not guaranteed to succeed. The prospects of communities for future generations.
I am running because public service means protecting people, defending dignity, and standing up when our community needs a voice. Too many families feel unheard and left behind. I have spent my life serving others and I have seen both the strength of our people and the struggles they face.
I am running for seniors who deserve security. For working families who should not have to choose between healthcare, housing, and food. For veterans who deserve care and respect. For children who deserve safe communities and real opportunity.
I am running for those who feel targeted or unheard, including the LGBTQ community who deserve dignity and equal protection. I believe deeply in the Constitution and the rule of law. As a former law enforcement officer, I also believe law enforcement must protect rights, not violate them. Many families are living in fear, and when fear replaces trust, communities suffer.
I am running because division is being pushed into our communities. Race, fear, and anger are being used to separate people instead of unite them. That weakens our country and distracts from real issues. America is strongest when we stand together.
I am running to protect our environment, protect housing stability, and protect children and families. Our future depends on it.
People are ready for leadership that listens, cares, and acts with compassion and courage. I am running to bring people together, restore trust, and fight for a future where every family has opportunity, security, and hope.
Public service is about people. And I will never stop fighting for them.
Florida, will you make the stand for a better future where housing is a secured right and you can afford not only to live but to prosper in safety and potential?
ICE targets a Lindenwold bus stop, sparking fear and protests. Gov. officials and neighbors rally for NJ students after a chaotic morning.
Thursday, the eve of the weekend. A typical day for students heading to school. There was no delayed opening, but for many, the school day was disrupted and chaotic, hindering learning. Children screaming, parents alerting their neighbors. A fear-stricken community in Lindenwold, NJ, was targeted by ICE Agents while parents were at the bus stop with their kids.
On February 12th, 2026, ICE agents targeted the bus stop at Woodland Village Apartments for 4th and 5th-graders. The bus driver circulates around the complex, rescuing kids from the dangers posed by Trump’s masked secret police.
On Friday, Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. issued a statement regarding the incident.
“The absolute chaos sowed by this ICE operation in Lindenwold yesterday morning was appalling,” Cappelli Jr. wrote. “At the moment we are short on facts and details about the intentions of ICE and do know at some point they called 911 for support. That said, the impact and fear that struck the children of our county was painful to watch and I can’t imagine the anxiety and trauma that came from this incident. We have a dialogue with our Congressman who is helping us get answers to what happened yesterday. I also want to applaud the work of the Superintendent of the Lindenwold Schools whose staff jumped into action to identify the whereabouts of the students and ensure their safety. Furthermore, as a community, segments of our population are being terrorized and scared to leave their homes. This is no way for any of us to live.”
As you can see, students are running, and community members are shouting “ICE, ICE” to alert neighbors to the dangers outside their doors. For many in this community, they fear that when leaving their homes, they may not come back to their families. With nearly 30% of the community in Lindenwold, NJ, being Latino or Hispanic, a large portion of the community is actively being targeted and labelled as “Illegal”.
The following day, Cooper River Indivisible organized a protest that drew hundreds of people from the broader community and gained the attention of elected officials like Donald Norcross.
Sharon Schultz, a left-leaning progressive from South Jersey, attended the protest. Sharon grew up primarily in Detroit and emigrated to New Jersey when she was fourteen. She had attended a protest with her mother for pro-life causes in high school, but this was her first time at an anti-ICE action.
When Sharon was asked how the atmosphere was at the protest, she shared,
“Super positive! Lindenwold police were on site, supportive in general. People were energized, lots of Bad Bunny. People driving by were very engaged, lots of positive, but also a good amount of negative, thumbs down, middle fingers and such.”
Like Sharon, many others are looking to get involved, and Sharon learned about the protest through an Instagram post and confirmed its legitimacy with Cooper River Indivisible. She was looking for ways to get involved and stand up against Trump’s policies, but kept hearing about events after they had happened. She caught this one in time and showed up to support her community.
Many members of the community cheered for justice, and the main driver of organizing was the strength of Cooper River Indivisible’s individuals.
At the protest, organizers from Cooper River Indivisible interviewed organizer Tatiana, who had these powerful statements.
NJ faces a healthcare cliff: Gov. Sherrill extends emergency rules for APNs & PAs as 9.5M residents face a 45-day countdown to a care disaster.
We learned in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic that healthcare is essential. Millions of people were without work, and countless people died from the disease, which rapidly spread in retirement homes and incarcerated communities. Hospitals were erecting tents in their parking lots to care for patients, and local emergency response teams were burdened around the clock with emergency medical transportation. A lot changed during the pandemic for people seeking care, and telehealth saw a surge never before seen. With that influx of care needed someone had to do it. Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants played a key role in enabling millions of appointments. Even then, the system is still inundated, and we need more care.
Groups echo healthcare reform as being essential, but where does the healthcare come from if there is not enough care to go around? Per-person spending jumped to $11,319 by 2023, driven by higher prices and increased utilization. Numbers are slowly coming out showing an even more substantial rise in the cost of care. Between 2020 and 2025, New Jersey prioritized expanding its physician workforce, with over 1,500 medical residents finishing their training in 2024, and around 471 (30%) of them choosing to practice in-state. The number of active Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in New Jersey increased by roughly 35%, rising from 12,107 in 2020-2021 to 16,317 in 2023-2024, representing a significant influx of over 4,000 new or newly active APN licenses during that period. Individual state statistics for phycsisan assistants are not available for New Jersey during this period.
New Jersey’s population has rebounded, reversing post-2020 declines, reaching over 9.5 million by early 2025. From April 2020 to July 2025, the state grew by about 2.8%, largely driven by international immigration despite domestic out-migration, making it one of the fastest-growing states.
With the increasing population, healthcare needs have grown. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order No. 112 on April 1, 2020, temporarily waiving the requirement for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) to work under a supervising or collaborating doctor. Just before leaving office, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 415 on January 16, 2026, officially ending the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
Now, as the crisis looms over care access, what happens? On February 13th, 2026, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 13, temporarily extending the COVID-19 State of Emergency. This will allow APNs and PAs to catch up with the new regulations about to take hold.
“With today’s executive order, we are providing more time for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to adjust to this new regulatory landscape, delivering on our commitment to make it easier for small businesses to thrive in New Jersey,” said Governor Sherrill. “Many health care professionals across New Jersey are bracing for impact as years-long state of emergency provisions come to an abrupt end. These sudden regulatory changes will have wide-ranging impacts on health care professionals and patients alike – potentially even forcing clinics and small, independent practices to close their doors, making it more difficult for New Jerseyans to access critical health care services.”
There are over 16,000 APNs in NJ, with 84% in primary care and 7% in mental health, making them essential for covering the 1.86 million residents on Medicaid. Not only do those on Medicaid see an APN, but many others with employer-sponsored or private-sector health insurance also use APN care for affordability and convenience.
With so many at risk of a catastrophic healthcare disaster in 45 days, will the government take action to codify care?
Despite the scale of the crash, an ambulance did not arrive for 20 minutes. St. Paul police later confirmed the victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.
A multiple-car crash has been confirmed following a high-speed chase with ICE agents during the pursuit of an individual. The crash occurred outside Nina’s Coffee Cafe in St. Paul.
Over a dozen agents were on the scene at the time of the crash.
“This is just another incident that tells us loud and clear: Operation Metro Surge needs to end immediately,” said St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her,
Brandon Reade said a single federal agent in an unmarked sedan sped by, giving chase – Minnesota Reformer
After the initial crash, an agent was seen exiting a vehicle and chasing the victim on foot, catching up to them. A bystander called 911 to report the incident, and an ambulance arrived twenty minutes later with ICE agents leaving shortly after. St. Paul police reported the victim did not sustain life-threatening injuries.
Another unconfirmed sighting of ICE occurred between Emerson Ave and Fremont Ave off of West Broadway. Neighbors came out and alerted everyone. The ice vehicle left the alley and was headed west on Broadway.
Copyright 2025 Google
Background:
“Metro Surge” initiative began in early December 2025. Some sources specify actions started around Dec. 1. This is a federal crackdown under the Trump administration aimed at arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants. Over 3,000 federal agents were deployed to the Twin Cities.
Following a chaotic morning shooting on Kings Road, Roxbury residents are demanding answers. Between a controversial 470,000-square-foot warehouse proposal and increased ICE activity across NJ
“I was born here, but I’m still nervous. It does not go by me every day to think that I could be stopped,” Roxbury Township resident Sharon Medina said at Tuesday night’s meeting.
ICE has been targeting New Jersey since July of 2025, and residents are fed up. On February 10th, 2026, around 7 am, a shooting occurred in Roxbury, NJ, on Kings Road across from the historic train station.
“I saw a video earlier today where the gentleman was not in a car and there was a gun drawn facing him in the street in our area,” resident Diana May said
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says an ICE officer shot out the tires of a vehicle that rammed a law enforcement vehicle during an immigration arrest on Tuesday in Roxbury. According to a DHS spokesperson, federal agents were conducting a planned operation to take Jesus Fabian Lopez-Banegas into custody.
“In an attempt to evade arrest, Lopez-Banegas rammed into a law enforcement vehicle and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run an officer over,” the DHS statement said.
“We recognize that matters of this nature raise concerns within our communities,” Davenport’s statement continued. “Public safety remains our top priority. As Acting Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, it is my duty to protect the safety of residents of this state and uphold the Constitution. I will do everything in my power to fulfill this responsibility.”
ICE has been spotted in Hoptacong, NJ, multiple times over the past few days. Video evidence shows ICE performing vehicle stops in neighborhoods, stoking fear amongst residents.
On February 10th, around 6pm, ICE vehicles were spotted being transported westbound on Route 80. DHS has not disclosed the vehicles’ destinations, and the department has refused to comment on the activity.
The protests in Roxbury, New Jersey, were triggered by reports that the federal government plans to convert a massive local warehouse into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility.
The controversy began in late December 2025 and continued into January 2026 after The Washington Post reported leaked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents. These documents identify a 470,000-square-foot warehouse on Route 46 as a possible site to hold up to 1,500 detainees. Many protesters contend that warehouses are meant for “packages, not people,” pointing out issues such as inadequate ventilation, lack of natural light, and poor sanitation. Local residents and the all-Republican town council are worried about the impact on infrastructure, including water supplies, sewers, and emergency services like police and fire. On January 13, 2026, Roxbury’s town council unanimously adopted a resolution firmly opposing the facility.
The Legal Battle
Although New Jersey enacted a law in 2021 that prevents towns and counties from contracting with ICE, private companies such as Dalfen Industrial, owner of the Roxbury warehouse, can still collaborate with the federal government. Protesters are now urging the town to utilize zoning ordinances and land-use laws to block the facility, contending that, despite the federal government’s “supremacy,” private corporations are still required to adhere to local building and safety regulations.
Getting Involved
Protests will continue, and on Presidents Day 2026, a protest will take place at Ledgewood Commons in Ledgewood, NJ.
The flyer distributed by the activist group No Ice Roxbury is as follows.
