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BREAKING : Toll Brothers Has Stopped ALL Pumping Activities into Pleasant Brook in Upper Saddle River

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photo by Derek Michalski

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, after 10 months of questionable practice of pumping mud into Pleasant Brook Toll Brothers stopped ALL pumping activities into the brook over the weekend. Houses, pumps and generators used to power these pumps were also removed from 19 Meadowbrook Rd. construction site In Upper Saddle River.

Continue reading BREAKING : Toll Brothers Has Stopped ALL Pumping Activities into Pleasant Brook in Upper Saddle River

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FBI indicates Interest in potential Clean Water Act Violations and Possible Cover Up at Apple Ridge in Mahwah

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, according to Derek Michalski the moderator of the Facebook group  GreenUSR,  “After proposing on this site an Environmental Debate between incumbent Josh Gottheimer and his opponent John McCann reporter from CBS News called and interviewed me for the story. When I announced this on October 13, 2018 I immediately noticed that mud is no longer being pumped into Pleasant Brook/Saddle River. Today I spoke to the same reporter and she confirmed that she has also reached out to NJDEP and NJ Department of Agriculture for comments. Immediately after she spoke to them Roy Otto from Bergen County Soil Conservation Department called me. When I asked him what sparked his sudden interest in our situation after 10 months of NOT RETUTNING ANY CALLS he said “let’s not talk about what caused me to call you””.

Continue reading FBI indicates Interest in potential Clean Water Act Violations and Possible Cover Up at Apple Ridge in Mahwah

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2018 RIDGEWOOD STREET PAVING LIST

roadwork

Note:  These streets are not listed in order of paving.  The order of paving will be determined by the contractor and the Village Engineering Department.  The paving season is April through November 2018, and some streets listed may be delayed until spring 2019, depending on weather conditions and logistical issues that may arise during the paving season.   

Continue reading 2018 RIDGEWOOD STREET PAVING LIST

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Democratic Congressman turned a blind eye to this unprecedented 10 month environmental disaster in Upper Saddle River

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photo courtesy Derek Michalski

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ ,  the Group GreenUSR , is challenging Congressman Josh Gottheimer and his rival John McCann to debate the environment .

The Environmental Debate between Congressman Josh Gottheimer and his opponent attorney John McCann is being proposed by GreenUSR. Will small brook in Bergen County called Pleasant Brook/Saddle River oust popular Democratic Congressman who turned a blind eye to this unprecedented 10 month environmental disaster time will tell. John McCann is ready to rumble! So are GreenUSR members.

Continue reading Democratic Congressman turned a blind eye to this unprecedented 10 month environmental disaster in Upper Saddle River

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Major Breakthrough in a 10-month Investigation in Toll Brothers Alleged Sludge Pumping into Local Brooks from the Apple Ridge Development in Mahwah

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photo by Derek Michalski , Pictured: Chairman of Mahwah Environmental Commission Richard Wolf documenting ongoing pollution at Toll Brothers construction site in Mahwah and Upper Saddle River.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, Major breakthrough in a 10-month community investigation started back in January 2018 by GreenUSR activist and resident of Upper Saddle River Derek Michalski.

Ramsey, Mahwah, Upper and Saddle River. Over the weekend residents from Ramsay, Mahwah and Upper Saddle River met for the second weekend in a row on the property that was featured in April 23, 2018 CBS New York Evening News coverage. We all remember Channel 2 Lisa Rozner’s report from 5 months ago about those infamous hoses pumping mud into Upper Saddle River stream directly from 100 acre site that had arsenic in the past.* Since that day very little has been done to stop the mud pumping that is occurring now 24/7 according to eyewitnesses. Last weekend the site was visited by Richard Wolf, Chairman of Mahwah Environmental Commission. This weekend Councilwoman Janet Ariemma took initiative and also met with residents and visually inspected continuous mud discharge into the Pleasant Brook.

Continue reading Major Breakthrough in a 10-month Investigation in Toll Brothers Alleged Sludge Pumping into Local Brooks from the Apple Ridge Development in Mahwah

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Unprecedented environmental disaster in one of the richest zip codes in America

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photo by Derek Michalski

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, Derek Michalski once again fills us in on the ongoing battle over Pleasant Brook and the unprecedented environmental disaster in one of the richest zip codes in America .  Toll Brothers‘
Apple Ridge Project in Mahwah has been alleged to be pumping mud into local tributary’s down stream in Upper Saddle River and Saddle River .

Continue reading Unprecedented environmental disaster in one of the richest zip codes in America

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High School Football Game Unaffected by Chlorine Gas Leak at a Fair Lawn Water Department Water Department

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photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, Fair Lawn Fire department and Fair Lawn Heavy Rescue units were dispatched to investigate a significant leak involving two (2) large steel cylinders containing chlorine gas at a Fair Lawn Water Department water treatment facility late Saturday morning, 09/15. Bergen County HazMat, Hawthorne Fire Department, and an ambulance from Saddle Brook were also on the scene at 9-14 Cadmus Place, Fair Lawn until the leak was contained. No injuries were reported, nor were there any evacuations ordered of area homes. A high school football game being played directly across the street from the plant was also unaffected by the gas release.

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Swamp Thing Spotted at Wild Duck Pond in Ridgewood ?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, rumors continue to spread that the Saddle River County Park Wild Duck Pond could be the new home of  “Swamp Thing” . Over grown with algae, a breading ground for mosquitos and ticks  the Duck Pond has continued to fall into disrepair since 2016 .

Continue reading Swamp Thing Spotted at Wild Duck Pond in Ridgewood ?

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Ridgewood Raiders 14U Baseball Team Win State Championship

state champs team pic

Photo :The following is the listing of players and coaches from left to right:Connor O’Hara #52, Coach Brian O’Hara,J.T. Luther #28,Joe Grasso #4,Matt Sullivan #23,Dylan Leith #6,Coach Mike Vigliotti,Angelo LaVaglia #13,Johnny Pilla #11,Mike Vigliotti #10,Jeremy Schneider #25,Jackson Kammen #19,Coach Mike Kammen,Jake Kleiman #45

August 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Raiders 14U baseball team just made an improbable run, winning our Little District (District 4), our Section (Section 1), and winning the State Championship yesterday 7/29 over Sayreville. Each step along the way, we lost a game early in each tournament yet won all 9 elimination games we played to win the Junior League State Title.

In District Play, we lost the first Junior League game we played on July 7th vs Westwood, 6-4. We then beat Washington Township 10-0 on July 9th and were then able to beat Westwood two games in a row, 14-4 on July 10th and 10-0 on July 11th to win the District 4 Title and move onto sectionals. District games were played in Dumont and Westwood.

In Sectional Play, we won our first game vs Lackawanna Newton 11-2 on July 13th. The next day July 14th, we suffered a 9-8 loss to a tough and talented team from Parsippany Troy Hills East (PTE) , a game in which we had a 7-3 lead. We then beat Lackawanna Newton on July 16th 4-2 to set up a rematch in the Championship with Parsippany Troy Hills East (PTE). However, PTE had no losses, so being these are double elimination tournaments we would have to beat them twice. We beat them two in a row, 13-0 on July 18th and 10-0 on July 20th to win the Section 1 Championship! All of those games were played in Bloomingdale NJ.

We then moved on to the NJ State Tournament hosted in Lyndhurst. We won our first game 17-1 on July 24th vs. Saddle Brook but suffered a tough loss to a very good hitting team from Sayreville on July 26th 11-6. We were then rained out on Friday July 27th. We were able to beat Saddle Brook 15-5 at 1:00pm on hot and humid Saturday. This again set up for a rematch against Sayreville who had zero losses. We played them at 3:30pm immediately following the Saddle Brook game and outslugged them 13-10 to set up a true Championship game on Sunday July 29th. Both teams scored runs in the first inning and the game stayed tied until we scored 3 in the 3rd inning to make it 4-1. Sayreville was able to add a run to make it 4-2 in the 4th but we were able to tack on a run in the 6th and 5 more in the 7th to come away with the 10-2 game!

Our team now moves on to represent New Jersey in the Eastern Regional Tournament being held at Michael J Tighe Field in Freehold NJ from August 2nd-August 8th. The winner of the Eastern Regional will move on to play in the Junior World Series held in Taylor Michigan August 12th to August 19th!

Ridgewood is looking to follow in the footsteps of the 2015 Junior League team which advanced to the Junior World Series!

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Wednesday Evening Hoboken Bound NJT Train Collides with SUV in Elmwood Park

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

July 26,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Elmwood Park NJ, NJ Transit train #1277, traveling westbound from Hoboken, collided with a white colored SUV at the Midland Avenue crossing in Elmwood Park on Wednesday evening, 07/25. No injuries were reported in the mishap. The crash halted all rail traffic on the Bergen Line for over one (1) hour. A flatbed tow truck removed the SUV, which was partially wedged under the train, from the crossing. Elmwood Park Police, Saddle Brook Police, and NJ Transit Police responded to the incident.

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2018 Ridgewood Paving List

road work Ridgewood police

file photo from the Ridgewood Police Department

July 8,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Note: These streets are not listed in order of paving. The order of paving will be determined by the contractor and the Village Engineering Department. The paving season is April through November 2018, and some streets listed may be delayed until spring 2019, depending on weather conditions and logistical issues that may arise during the paving season.

Street    From -To
E. Ridgewood   N. Maple –  Paramus Rd.
Bergen    Spring  – Court
Somerville Spring – E.R.A.
Spring S. Pleasant- East End
Addison Irving- Southern Parkway
Beveridge Norman- Stratford
Bingham E. Saddle River- Eastbrook Road
Chesterfield Sheffield- Fairfield
Deerfield Sheffield- Fairfield
Doremus Ackerman- Godwin
Eastgate VanEmburgh Ave.- Town Line
Fairway N. VanDien- N. Pleasant
Fox Dead End- East Side
Hamilton Norman – Stratford
Hillcrest Morningside – N. Monroe
Jefferson South End- Orville
Jefferson Orville- Hampshire
John Wyndermere- Linwood
Litchfield Sheffield – Fairfield
Madison N. Hillside – N. Monroe Ave.
Madison N. Monroe- Crest
Maynard To Dead End – W. Ridgewood Ave.
MonteVista  N. Monroe- Heights
N. Hillside W. Ridgewood Ave.- N. Monroe
N. Monroe W. Ridgewood Ave.- Monte Vista
N. Pleasant E. Ridgewood Ave. – Linwood
N. Pleasant Linwood- E. Glen
Pershing Wall- Linwood
Randolph Doremus- East End
S. Irving Spring- E. Ridgewood
Salem Van Emburgh- West End
Sherman Godwin- Washington
Sherman Washington Place – North End
Terhune W. Saddle River- East End
Valleyview N. Monroe- Heights
Valleyview  Heights- Crest
Wall Pershing- East End
Washington S. Monroe – W. Ridgewood
West End Lincoln- Bellair
West End Bellair- Godwin
William Jefferson- South End
William North End- Jefferson
Woodland N. Monroe- Crest

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Ridgewood Water Well Contamination Study

ridgewood water

Ground Water Under Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDI)

July 8,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water completed a year-long study of its supply well system to evaluate the vulnerability of the wells to microbiological contamination from nearby surface water bodies.

Ridgewood Water performed the GWUDI study under a rigorous Source Water Monitoring Plan which was approved by the EPA. The study involved the collection of water samples from up to 38 wells and three surface water locations on a weekly and biweekly basis. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory for evidence of microbiologic activity and for other “indicator parameters” that may indicate surface water influence.
All samples were collected and analyzed by an NJDEP-certified laboratory and were reported on a quarterly basis to the NJDEP and EPA.

Group 1 Wells (2 locations)For the two Group 1 wells, EPA determined that the occasional presence of of e.coli in raw water required further assessment to determine whether there is evidence of a direct connection of these sources to surface water. Ridgewood performed weekly raw water monitoring at the two Group 1 wells for the presence of fecal coliform, e. coli and turbidity.

GROUP 1
Franklin- 2016 Q3, Q4
Mountain- 2016 Q3, Q4rformed weekly raw water monitoring at the two Group 1 wells for the presence of fecal coliform, e. coli and turbidity.

Group 2 Wells– (3 locations)
For the three Group 2 wells, EPA determined that the occasional presence of of e.coli in raw water required further assessment to determine the degree of influence of nearby surface water on each well and whether there is a need for additional treatment. Ridgewood Water performed weekly raw water monitoring at the two Group 2 wells for the presence of fecal coliform, e. coli, aerobic spores, pH, temperature and turbidity. Ridgewood also performed weekly surface water monitoring at associated surface water bodies for the same parameters. The third well has been shut down and is being reevaluated for reconstruction or permanent closure.

GROUP 2
Carr #7- 2016 Q3, Q4
Goffle Brook- 2016 Q3, Q4
Ho-Ho-Kus Brook- 2016 Q3, Q4
Newtown- 2016 Q3, Q4

Group 3 Wells – (33 locations)
The 33 Group 3 wells have not exhibited any evidence of being under the influence of surface water. These wells were previously screened by NJDEP and were not found to warrant additional assessment. As such, the NJDEP issued monitoring waivers to Ridgewood for these wells. EPA has determined that a further assessment of these wells was warranted. The monitoring consisted of biweekly raw water sampling and analysis for e.coli bacteria.
Ridgewood also performed Hydrogeologic Sensitivity Assessments (HSAs) of all Group 3 wells. These are reviews of the conditions and potential sources of surface contamination at each location to assess their vulnerability to future microbiologic contamination.

GROUP 3
Ackerman- 2016 Q3, Q4
Ames #5- 2016 Q3, Q4
Ames #6- 2016 Q3, Q4
Carr #1- 2016 Q3, Q4
Carr #3- 2016 Q3, Q4
Carr #4- 2016 Q3, Q4
Carr #6- 2016 Q3, Q4
Cedar Hill #1- 2016 Q3, Q4
Cedar Hill #6- 2016 Q3, Q4
East Ridgewood- 2016 Q3, Q4
East Saddle River- 2016 Q3, Q4
Eder- 2016 Q3, Q4
Fairview- 2016 Q3, Q4
Glen Rock- 2016 Q3, Q4
Grove- 2016 Q3, Q4
Irving- 2016 Q3, Q4
Lakeview- 2016 Q3, Q4
Main- 2016 Q3, Q4
Meer- 2016 Q3, Q4
Midland- 2016 Q3, Q4
Paramus- 2016 Q3, Q4
Russell- 2016 Q3, Q4
Salem- 2016 Q3, Q4
Spring- 2016 Q3, Q4
Twinney- 2016 Q3, Q4
Van Houten- 2016 Q3, Q4
West End- 2016 Q3, Q4
Wortendyke #2- 2016 Q3, Q4
Wortendyke #6- 2016 Q3, Q4
Wortendyke #7- 2016 Q3, Q4

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Protesters Converge on Toll Brothers’ Open House in Mahwah at Apple Ridge construction site

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photos by Derek Michalski

June 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ, Heavy police presence during Toll Brothers’ Open House in Mahwah at Apple Ridge construction site over the weekend.

Probably never in the history of these three Bergen County towns Mahwah, Ramsey and Upper Saddle River residents who live along East Crescent Road heard so many drivers honking their horns. On June 24, 2018 Saturday afternoon over the course of four hours hundreds of drivers drove by and honked their horns sometimes 3, 4 and even 5 and more times in solidarity with the protesters who were all lined up along the road on East Crescent Avenue in Mahwah. The protest was aimed at Toll Brothers accused by some residents of Ramsey, Mahwah and Upper Saddle River of massive pollution of Pleasant Brook over the course of the past six months. The subject of this pollution was extensively covered by local and regional media. First CBS did a story which aired on April 23, 2018 on CBS NY News, than FIOS NJ one run all day reports from the site on. Also owned by USA Today media concern NJ Bergen Record wrote extensively in an article titled “Residents want backyard stream tested for arsenic, lead because of construction runoff”.

Link to CBS story:
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/04/23/bergen-county-brown-streams/

Link to FIOS NJ One coverage:

Link “The Record” story:
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2018/04/28/residents-want-backyard-stream-tested-arsenic-lead-because-construction-runoff/549503002/

Apparently this matter is not going away anytime soon said Derek Michalski, one of the community organizers of the protest. We are still waiting for our Mayor and Council to show us the results of the water tests and for the assurance that appropriate Superfund is being set up to provide for the cleanup of potential contamination of Pleasant Brook as well as drinking water wells in the corridor of Pleasant Brook. Many residents of bucolic once Upper Saddle River still rely of private wells as a source of their drinking water. Many USR residents scared of potential toxic and carcinogenic contaminants being arsenic and lead allegedly intentionally released into our streams and aquifer by Toll Brothers over the course of the past six months are switching from private wells into the city water but the issue is not should they switch or not.

The issue in my opinion is the following- why environmental disaster caused by cutting corners by one of the largest developer in the country makes our residents’ life more difficult and more expensive as a consequence – said Derek Michalski.

photo above Derek Michalski and Lisa Glick

Mahwah PD cars parked in the “Arsenic Field” at the Toll Brothers construction site – a name coined by GreenUS.org volunteers after CBS run a news story on April 23, 2018.

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ICE arrests 91 in New Jersey operation targeting criminal aliens

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June 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK NJ,  An Salvadoran national in the country illegally, who has an Interpol warrant for being a member of MS-13 and trafficking in firearms and narcotics, is among 91 foreign nationals taken into custody during a five-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week in New Jersey, targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators. The operation was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) New Jersey Field Office.

Of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 77 percent were convicted criminals and 70 percent of them had prior felony convictions.

“The remarkable results of our officers and law enforcement partners highlight ICE’s ongoing commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director of ERO Newark. “This operation focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety. Because of the targeted efforts of these professional officers, there are 91 fewer criminals in our communities.”

These individuals will go through removal proceedings before an Immigration Judge or for those under a final order of removal, arrangements will be made to remove them from the U.S.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this operation,” said Frank Russo, Acting Director New York Field Office. “It is through collaborative efforts that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the Homeland.”

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Anguilla (1), Bangladesh (1), Cameroon (1), Colombia (4), Cuba (3), Dominican Republic (14), Ecuador (4), Egypt (1), El Salvador (10), Ghana (1), Guatemala (3), Guinea (1), Guyana (2), Haiti (3), Honduras (4), Jamaica (3), Korea (2), Macedonia (2), Mexico (12), Nicaragua (1), Pakistan (2), Philippines (4), Peru (4), Poland (1), Spain (1), St. Lucia (1), Trinidad (3), and Venezuela (2)

These individuals were arrested in the following counties in New Jersey: Atlantic (3), Bergen (5), Burlington (3), Camden (3), Cumberland (6), Essex (19), Hudson (15), Mercer (7), Middlesex (7), Monmouth (1), Passaic (10), Union (8), and Warren (2). Also, one individual was arrested in New Castle county in Delaware and one individual was arrested in Bronx county in New York. They range from age 19 to 78 years old and all were previously convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the convictions included sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, money laundering, DUI, fraud, domestic violence, theft, possession of a weapon, burglary, larceny, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, kidnapping and illegal reentry.

Among those arrested during this operation include:

  • In Jersey City, a 39-year-old previously removed Venezuelan national, who has convictions of Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest by Force, Possession of a Weapon, and Distribution of Heroin;
  • In Saddle Brook, a 46-year-old Bangladeshi national, who has convictions of Aggravated Assault, and pending charges for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor;
  • In New Brunswick, a 47-year-old Honduran national, who has convictions of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, who was released by Middlesex County Jail and rearrested by ICE;
  • In Passaic, a 24-year-old Jamaican national, who has convictions of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Lewdness;
  • In Perth Amboy, a 32-year-old Dominican national, who has convictions of Possession of Cocaine, Domestic Violence Assault, and Trespassing;
  • In Newark, a 45-year-old Pakistani national, who has convictions of Money Laundering and Theft by Deception;
  • In Elizabeth, a 42-year-old Colombian national, who has a conviction for Homicide
  • In Bergenfield, a 58 year old Philippines national, who has convictions for DUI, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Assault;
  • In Jersey City, a 54-year-old Dominican national, who has convictions for Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault;
  • In Bridgeton, a 41-year-old Mexican national, who has a conviction for Criminal Sexual Contact;
  • In Pleasantville, a 21-year-old Honduran national, who has been convicted for Endangering the Welfare of a Child;
  • In Plainfield, 22 & 23-year-old El Salvadorian nationals, who are members of MS-13;
  • In Lindenwold, 27 & 29-year-old El Salvadorian nationals, who are members of MS-13;
  • In East Orange, a 23-year-old Anguillan national, who is a member of the Bloods;
  • In South Brunswick, a 31-year-old Venezuelan national, who is a member of MS-13;
  • In West New York, a 26-year-old El Salvadorian national, who has an Interpol warrant for being a member of a terrorist organization (MS-13), trafficking in narcotics and trafficking in firearms;
  • In Bridgeton, a 22-year-old Mexican national, who is a member of the gang Los Pelones

ICE deportation officers conduct targeted enforcement operations every day in locations around the country as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls.

During targeted enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.

ICE continues to focus its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy. However, as ICE Director Thomas Homan has made clear, ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States.