NJ needs to pass an ICE mask ban, Lt. Gov. candidate says

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) – With Mikie Sherrill as governor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will need to take their masks off, her running mate said Tuesday.  

In a debate on PIX11 and PHL17, lieutenant governor candidate Dale Caldwell noted Sherrill has already sponsored legislation to get masks “removed from the ICE agents.” 

Many states are considering banning agents from covering their faces during enforcement operations, including neighboring New York. The Department of Homeland Security said it will not respect such mask bans, including the law already passed in California. 

Caldwell said he supports prosecuting violent criminals, but does not want to create a culture of fear. Law-abiding taxpayers should have pathways to citizenship, Caldwell said. 

“I’m a pastor of a church. Do you know how many people who are legal residents are fearful to go to the grocery store?” Caldwell said. “New Jersey is stronger than that.”

His opponent, Republican James Gannon, said he would immediately remove New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration efforts.

“We’re not interested in being ICE. But we should share information with them,” Gannon said. 

Ahead of Election Day, PIX11 will host a live forum featuring New Jersey governor candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Tune in to watch on PIX11, PIX11.com, and PIX11+. The forum will also be simulcast on PHL17 and PHL17.com.