TRENTON –The Democratic-controlled state Senate on Monday took a symbolic stand against President Donald Trump on Monday, passing a resolution denouncing the Republican’s recent controversial executive orders on immigration.
The Senate voted along party lines, 22-11, in favor of the measure (SCR143), which “strongly condemns” Trump’s actions, including:
* His order to suspend immigration and travel for 90 days from seven Muslim-majority countries — a temporary move the administration said is needed as it sets up a stronger vetting system to prevent possible terrorists from entering. A federal judge ruled last week to suspend the order, but the administration is seeking to reinstate it.
* His order to withhold federal grant money from so-called “sanctuary cities” that protect undocumented immigrants within their borders.
* His order to empower state and local law enforcement to serve as immigration officers.
The Senate’s resolution will not stop any of Trump’s moves. Rather, it’s a symbolic show of resistance from the Democratic leaders of New Jersey, a heavily Democratic state that Trump lost in November’s election.
“This is about who we are as a state and nation,” state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), one of the sponsors, said before the vote. “This is a New Jersey matter. Silence is not an option.”
Republicans tell Democrats to ignore Trump and focus on N.J.
Added state Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), a co-sponsor: “What is happening on a national level is un-American. We have to be ready to stand up.”
Trump’s orders have sparked protests and debates among lawmakers throughout the country. Many Republicans have defended Trump’s actions as being necessary to protect the country.
In New Jersey, Republicans have called on Democrats to focus more on state issues instead of pushing back against Trump.
On Monday, state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union), added that many past U.S. presidents have taken similar actions as Trump.
Democrats argued that the orders to have a direct impact on New Jersey because they prevent women, children, and elderly people fleeing oppression in other countries from finding refuge in America.
“Every immigrant group has made this country a better place — in New Jersey especially,” said state Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic), a co-sponsor. “The Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey. And Ellis Island is in New Jersey.”
Asked why the resolution was needed if it won’t change Trump’s orders, state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), a co-sponsor, said he has seen fear at mosques in the state and that this will give Muslims hope.
“It’s very important for Americans not to lose hope,” said Lesniak, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor to succeed Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who is a longtime Trump friend and adviser.
Passing the resolution was one of a few moves New Jersey Democratic lawmakers made against Trump on Monday:
* The Senate also voted 22-10 to pass a resolution (SCR134) calling for the state’s school districts and colleges and universities to continue to be “safe zones” for undocumented students and families, protecting information about them.
* State Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex) introduced a bill that would prohibit law enforcement and corrections officials in New Jersey from working with federal immigration authorities to detain nonviolent immigrants who are undocumented.
“We will not allow President Trump to commandeer resources from New Jersey,” Gill said.
* State Sen. Brian Stack and state Assemblyman Raj Mukerji (both D-Hudson) announced they will introduce a measure that would create a program to provide supplementary grant funding to any municipality or county that has been stripped of federal grant funding under Trump because it acts as a “sanctuary city.”
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
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