Monmouth County Legislators Condemn Escalating ICE Activity

Gopal, Peterpaul and Donlon call for ICE to operate within constitutional limits and respect civil rights

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:31pm

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A joint statement from New Jersey Legislative District 11 Legislators Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, and Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon condemns the escalation of ICE activity in Monmouth County, which they say increasingly echoes concerning incidents in other cities. The legislators express support for legal immigration and removing criminals, but call for ICE to operate with accountability, transparency and respect for civil rights.

Why it matters

The legislators' statement highlights growing concerns about aggressive ICE tactics, including reports of racial profiling, detaining individuals without warrants, and the lack of transparency around how many people have been taken from local communities. This reflects a broader national debate over immigration enforcement and the balance between public safety and civil liberties.

The details

The statement cites specific incidents, including the killings of two American citizens by ICE agents that were ruled homicides, the detainment of a 5-year-old child, and reports of ICE agents physically assaulting a legal US resident and questioning individuals based on the color of their skin or accents. The legislators say there is a lack of transparency from ICE, making it difficult to know how many individuals have been taken from local workplaces, communities and homes.

  • Over the last year, the legislators have seen an escalation of ICE activity in Legislative District 11 and Monmouth County.

The players

Senator Vin Gopal

A New Jersey state senator representing Legislative District 11.

Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul

A New Jersey state assemblywoman representing Legislative District 11.

Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon

A New Jersey state assemblywoman representing Legislative District 11.

Alex Pretti

An American citizen killed by ICE agents in a homicide incident.

Renee Good

An American citizen killed by ICE agents in a homicide incident.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old child detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“Nationally, two American citizens were killed in broad daylight. The killings of Alex Pretti andRenee Good have been ruled homicide by the medical examiner. Incidents like the detainment of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos in Minneapolis depict questionable tactics and contradict claims of targeting criminals.”

— Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, and Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon, New Jersey Legislative District 11 Legislators (tapinto.net)

“Videos depict people being forcibly removed from their homes without judicial warrants. These are actions that are in violation of our Constitutional rights.”

— Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywoman Luanne Peterpaul, and Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon, New Jersey Legislative District 11 Legislators (tapinto.net)

What’s next

The legislators support Senator Wimberly's legislation requiring ICE agents to display proper identification and prohibiting the use of face masks. They also support the Safe Communities Act, which designates schools, hospitals, and houses of worship as protected spaces.

The takeaway

This statement highlights the growing tensions over immigration enforcement and the need to balance public safety with civil liberties and constitutional protections. The legislators are calling for greater transparency, accountability and respect for due process from ICE as it carries out its duties.