Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) came to a Morristown church Wednesday to denounce federal immigration raids he said are terrorizing families, accusing ICE of âabducting peopleâ and leaving children as young as 6 unattended, as allegedly happened in town earlier this month.
Speaking at St. Margaretâs Roman Catholic Church alongside local officials and clergy, Booker vowed to oppose any new Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in New Jersey â including one proposed for Roxbury â and to oppose federal funding for ICE and even Homeland Security until there is real oversight.
The state’s senior senator called ICE and President Trump âout of controlâ and said their policies have created an immigration ânightmareâ that violates American values, enabled by Republicans in Congress whose refusal to curb Trump has triggered a “Constitutional crisis.”
“CHILD ENDANGERMENT”
Adonay Mancia Rodriguez, a native of Honduras, was fetching a DoorDash food delivery on Jan. 11, 2026, when ICE took him away, leaving his 6âyearâold daughter alone in their Speedwell Avenue apartment, according to officials, church leaders and relatives.
âWhen you put a child in danger by taking away their parent with no concern or process for protecting that child, you are guilty of child endangerment,â Booker charged at the press briefing, calling the case emblematic of raids across the country.
Eleven people, including a Morristown High School senior doing his laundry at a laundromat, were rounded up that Sunday morning, a short walk from St. Margaret’s where many of the detainees are parishioners, according to the Rev. Duberney Villamizar, pastor of the church.
A judge ordered the student’s release. The Department of Homeland Security has provided no details about any of the detainees beyond asserting some are felons and all face deportation.
While vowing to do what he can for the detainees, Booker said he would hesitate to publicize their identities because âhate groupsâ are using such information to torment immigrants and other minorities. Booker said a local school leader told him students are afraid to apply for subsidized lunches or even come to school, afraid of what ICE might do to their parents.
Mayor Tim Dougherty, who has solicited pro bono attorneys to aid detainees, said the raids have âput a lot of fear into the community.â He urged anyone who sees a crime or is a victim of one to call 911. Morristown police will respond, he said, emphasizing that local officers âdo not work with ICE.â
Asked if local cops would arrest ICE officers who use excessive force or otherwise break laws, Dougherty deferred to Public Safety Director Michael Corcoran Jr. Calling it a âhypotheticalâ scenario, Corcoran said: âI canât really give you a straight answer on that.â
Citizens and clergy have rallied behind Morristown’s large Hispanic community, staging at least three anti-ICE demonstrations. A GoFundMe drive has raised nearly $27,000 for Rodriguez’ legal defense. Villanizar said church volunteers are helping families who are living in terror. We “will assist them in any manner, in any way,” the priest said.
Booker responded with a mix of anger and frustration when asked if there would be a congressional inquiry into the fatal shooting of RenĂ©e Good, an activist and mother, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. The Trump administration has tried to portray the victim as a “domestic terrorist.”
âOf courseâ there should be congressional hearings into Goodâs killing, Booker said. But he acknowledged theyâre unlikely because the Republican majority has refused to check the president or provide oversight of ICE and Homeland Security.
Aggressive tactics of masked, unidentified ICE officers have sparked protests nationwide. One community watch duo tailing ICE in Minneapolis told the New York Times that agents blasted pepper spray into the grill of their vehicle, stinging their eyes.
A 6-month-old baby in that city was hospitalized after being tear-gassed in the family’s car, which got stuck between ICE and demonstrators on the drive home from a basketball game. The frantic mother gave the baby mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until help arrived; in an X posting reported by Mother Jones, Homeland Security seemed to blame the family: âIt is horrific to see radical agitators bring children to their violent riots.â
‘A HORROR SHOW’
Earlier on Wednesday, Booker visited the proposed ICE detention site in Roxbury.
âNew Jersey does not need any more ICE detention facilities,â he said in Morristown, describing the two already operating in the state as âa horror show” run by for-profit entities and the government in violation of New Jersey standards. ICE, he said, is âmaking us less safe and more dangerous.â
Pressed about calls from some Democrats to abolish the agency, Booker tried to distinguish himself from the rhetoric.
âThis is not a time for sloganeering. We must stop what is happening,â he said. âI am not interested in slogans that people are using. Iâm interested in results that could end these nightmares in our community,â starting with refusing to vote for ICE funding and blocking new detention centers.
Booker, often mentioned in political circles as a presidential contender in 2028, also was sharply critical of President Trump’s designs on Greenland.
Addressing global leaders in Davos on Wednesday, Trump said he would not invade that strategic “piece of ice,” although he contends the U.S. is entitled to it and would “remember” European leaders who oppose handing it over.
âThis is the most extreme president Iâve seen in my lifetime,” in an administration âmarked by chaos, corruption and, frankly, cruelty,â Booker said, comparing Trump to a schoolyard bully.
It all makes this year’s congressional midterm elections vitally important, he said. From grocery prices to skyrocketing healthcare costs to fear and chaos in the streets, “Donald Trump has failed. He’s broken promise after promise after promise⊠It is time for a change.”
Booker stopped short of calling for Trump’s impeachment if Democrats regain Congress, telling a reporter he will work hard ahead of the midterms “to make your hypothetical actually a real question.”
MORE ABOUT THE MORRISTOWN ICE RAID
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Are there rapists and assailants in our community? Has anyone researched?
Public information of record is a simple request away. People should seek that information from their municipalities and County Prosecutors.
All you have to do is ask to be informed, instead of blind guesswork.
Support Federal Law Enforcement in the State, and all Law Enforcement. They sacrifice themselves every day for safer communities.
Show some respect for that fact.
Jeff…who educated you? Ask for a refund. But let me explain since you have yet to respond back in any substantive way … Wikipedia is a starting point for research.
I will wait for a substantive response from you.
Tom, Wikipedia is your source? LOL!
The rest of your post shows that you are having another bad day, in your cups, etc.
Hey are Brady Bunch re-runs on tonight?
Jeff… I literally posted links to where I got the information from. If you disagree, post data to refute it. Don’t just post info that you “feel” or “believe” in your heart. That’s not data.
And seriously, why would I be AGAINST deportation of criminals?
Lastly, who raised you? Who told you it is completely ok to act ignorant? Where would this country be if it didn’t accept the undocumented?
Tom, you just made that up. You’re fixated on that.
In case you’re not aware of it, this story is not about Trump. It’s not about the Panama Canal. It’s not about Jared Polis.
It is about illegals.
Now, I can explain it to you abut I can’t understand it for you.
Good call, Chris. Here is what I was able to find:
Approximately 75% of the people detained by ICE have no criminal convictions. Of the 25% who do have convictions, the bulk of those are traffic, vice, and immigration convictions.
https://tracreports.org/immigration/quickfacts/
https://www.cato.org/blog/5-ice-detainees-have-violent-convictions-73-no-convictions
Why have all have back and forth? Just file OPRA requests to Morris County and any local police jurisdiction for all charging complaints in your area and the time range you want. Look at the crime in your community and who is committing it. No need to all the morality debates. Just fact find.
Jeff – then why pretend you care about the rule of law when you only care about the rule of law for the undocumented? Just say that.
Tom, cool story, bro.
But that has nothing to do with getting rid of the illegals.
Jeff – there is very strong support for the fact that Trump is a convicted child predator. Aside from the Epstein Files, Trump’s own statements suggest predatory behavior (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_sexual_misconduct_allegations).
But guess what… he is the President and his own department has failed to meet deadlines regarding the Epstein Files.
And when Trump took over, somehow all the investigations into Elon’s companies stopped.
Listen, I think we are 100% aligned that we don’t want anyone breaking the law, but there is a hierarchy of which laws need to be prosecuted more assuredly. But you’re picking on the low hanging fruit rather than the person who is dismantling the institution to only benefit himself.
And at the end of the day, you may have gotten rid of the illegals, but there will be no rule of law.
Actually, the death of the 6 individuals by ICE with no repercussions shows we have no rule of law now.
To, they need to focus on illegals because they are here illegally. There are tens of millions of them. They are lawbreakers and they don’t belong here. They dilute our country. They commit violent crimes. How does it affect me? It’s all about the big picture of them using our resources. Would you be okay with two convicted child predators moving into your block? You wouldn’t be affected directly but you don’t want them there. Big picture.
If any politicians are committing crimes they should be investigated and prosecuted if warranted. The Justice Department can walk and chew gum at the same time. They can deal with the illegals as well as other crimes.
Jeff – I’m really curious. Why focus on illegals? Why do you chose to focus on people being here illegally when there is so much more illegality and unethical behavior occurring by Trump? Do you like what Trump is doing? If so, would you like it if Biden did the same things? I’m also curious how are you suffering? Are you affected by high drug prices? High healthcare costs? How energy bills?
And just to clarify, I’m not a die hard Democrat. I actually really really really hate Hillary. But I can’t understand supporting someone who is so against the established rules of law, who is literally encroaching on our media, privacy, collective knowledge only to financially benefit his rich friends. I would never support Biden if he did this and neither would you.
And I hope those who fill the comment page, financially support Morristowngreen.com. By having a ‘comment section’-They provide a voice for all of us.
Iâm thankful that we have morristowngreen.com. Keep doing what you do Kevin and contributors. Keep posting about daily life issues that start conversations.
ALekberg, first, you are confusing illegals with immigrants. But that’s what you lefties do in order to try to soften the reality that they are lawbreakers.
They (the dairy) should have prosecuted that dairy for hiring illegals. It is against the law.
And if your business model is dependent upon illegal hiring practices, I have zero sympathy for them.
These protests have become a predictable feature of the progressive left; the rhetoric is inflated, emotionally charged, and often comes across as performative. The hysterical behavior consistently advances a specific set of social, environmental, or political objectives. Itâs difficult to overlook the extent to which Trumpâs election was, in many respects, a reaction to this very pattern. And for those on the left who find themselves moved by Cory Bookerâs message, itâs worth recognizing the dynamic at play: he is leveraging your support. His focus is his power and the pulpit; his only want is to secure reâelection, offering promises of change while ultimately delivering more of the same.
We are not in South Dakota, we are not virtue signaling, we do not have those issues. It is New Jersey. It is in fact as simple as hiring and training citizens. Employers may reach out to schools that have farming programs and offer internships if you are concerned about skilled labor. Reach out to community college for those in agriculture and other studies related to your concerns and offer them opportunity to grow in experience. Reach out to those in Hospitality. Reach out to those in culinary school. It really is that simple. The excuses and emotions do not solve the problem or serve the solution, and this is why we are a Republic, not a Democracy, and we have to have rule of law. It is not that complicated. Do things the right way, get the papers you need to get, work for companies who are authorized. The end. Or have ICE and the IRS at a business’ door.
Chris, thanks for engaging with my comment. I understand why âhire citizensâ feels like the straightforward answer, but on the ground it hasnât been that simple. Farmers and food businesses actively try to hire locally and still come up short. A recent DHS audit at Drumgoon Dairy in South Dakota, for example, forced the immediate loss of 38 long-time workers. The owners didnât lose criminalsâ they lost years of experience and were left struggling to keep a 6,500-cow operation running. Immigrant workers now make up more than half of dairy labor and are responsible for nearly 80% of our milk supply. When we shut down the labor pipeline without creating a realistic, legal alternative, it doesnât solve the problem â it disrupts food production, raises costs, and puts pressure on families and communities. Thatâs the policy gap Iâm talking about.
Andrea, hire citizens if that is your issue. This entire concept of take what you want and be given as you demand afterward is criminal.
Our lawmakers, so-called “leaders” like the mayor, and Democratic voters put illegals and other criminals on a pedestal. Law-abiding, tax-paying citizens? Not so much.
Rather than working to change laws they don’t like, they would rather just ignore them. No normal, rational person would be okay with having our country invaded by tens of millions illegals.
âSen Cory Bookerâ nice guy , very popular, went to some of the best colleges and universities butâŠ.. he had been our elected NJ State Senator since 2013. So without term limits, it looks like heâs gonna be around for a very, very, very long time.
I like what the famous Hall of Fame NFL football coach Bill Parcells ,used to always say â You are what your record says you are!â His record is mediocre , and needs much improvement. Needs to smile once in a while too . Is life really that bad for him? Always angry ? Be a leader! Give us hope! We deserve that!!
If this Senator would change some things maybe there could be hope . We are stuck with him forever. If he would just show some leadership and just stop dividing people. Sadly he seems like he is just on one big ego trip. Sad for us and not getting things to operate better . Iâm praying deeply about this. He should stop running for President and just do the job he was elected to first. Why not?
Unfortunatley the woman would be alive, had prior enforcement activity taken place. What a failure in the USA.
Previously deported Honduran illegal immigrant charged with killing teen who rejected his sexual advances
Edwin Cruz Gomez was ignored by ICE during October 2024 arrest under Biden administration priorities, source says. Sources said Gomez was ignored by ICE during an October 2024 arrest for possession of a forged instrument because he didn’t meet Biden administration immigration enforcement priorities
A drunk driver who fatally mowed down a 16-year-old girl in Queens is a previously deported Honduran illegal immigrant who had several prior DUI arrests, a senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, was arrested by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on Saturday and was charged with murder, three counts of attempted murder and two counts of assault and other crimes after allegedly running down Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez and her mother after they rejected his sexual advances, according to the source.
Obama/ Clinton/ Bush Admin deported 5X more illegal immigrants. We have the Patriots Act, we have a rule of law. I am embarassed that our law makers are so anti Law Enforcement and Rule of Law. It is frankly horrifying and reflects why so many are fleeing the state. We have a need to know, for all the reasons of why we have LEA and ICE and Federal Agencies that enforce our protections. Get off the soapbox and rhetoric and get out of the church. Speaking of church experience, anyone recall the heinous slaughter of a priest by his employee bc he figured out he was a criminal?????? They hide in church. Stop harboring. this example below is one of many, raise your awareness rather than ignorance and voter base.
Rev. Edward Hinds was the pastor of St. Patrickâs Church in New Jersey, that is until he was found stabbed to death in the rectory â Murder Calls investigates the case.
October, 2009, in Chatham, New Jersey, and Rev. Hinds failed to turn up for the morning mass. His congregation were alarmed and when the deacon searched the church rectory he found Rev. Hinds unconscious and bleeding on the floor. Police soon arrived and after CPR failed to revive the paster, they realised that the priest has been stabbed.
The investigation moved quickly and an examination of the priestâs cellphone records revealed that heâd called 64-year-old church janitor Jose Feliciano. Heâd been present when the body was discovered and police had witnessed him attempt a rather lack lustre CPR. They immediately thought his behaviour was unusual and put him under surveillance.
When police arrested Feliciano he confessed to the murder, explaining the pair were arguing when heâd grabbed a knife from the kitchen and attacked Rev. Hinds. He told investigators that the priest was going to fire him and that they argued over that, but prosecutors at his trial say that Rev. Hinds had discovered an old arrest warrant that was out against Feliciano for sexually touching a child.
At the trial it was revealed that the priest had been stabbed and slashed more than 32 times, with wounds to his head and torso.
Iâve been in the food industry since I was 15, and over the past 45 years Iâve seen firsthand how deeply this industry depends on manual labor. Despite that reality, there has never been a consistent, responsible immigration policy or long-term program designed to support these workforce needs. Instead, the industry has operated under uncertaintyârelying on immigrant labor while offering no stable, legal pathway that matches the year-round demands of food production, processing, and service. Events like the recent ICE raid in Morristown, expose the consequences of this failure: workers who are essential to local businesses and communities are suddenly treated as disposable. ICE raids are not a solution to this problemâthey only create more problems by spreading fear, disrupting workplaces, and destabilizing families and local economies. This lack of policy planning has created chronic labor shortages, instability for workers and employers alike, and has left a critical sector of the economy vulnerable decade after decade.
Iâve been in the food industry since I was 15, and over the past 45 years Iâve seen firsthand how deeply this industry depends on manual labor. Despite that reality, there has never been a consistent, responsible immigration policy or long-term program designed to support these workforce needs. Instead, the industry has operated under uncertaintyârelying on immigrant labor while offering no stable, legal pathway that matches the year-round demands of food production, processing, and service. Events like the recent ICE raid in Morristown, NJ expose the consequences of this failure: workers who are essential to local businesses and communities are suddenly treated as disposable. ICE raids are not a solution to this problemâthey only create more problems by spreading fear, disrupting workplaces, and destabilizing families and local economies. This lack of policy planning has created chronic labor shortages, instability for workers and employers alike, and has left a critical sector of the economy vulnerable decade after decade.