Leonia, NJ, Removed from Federal “Sanctuary Cities” List
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Leonia NJ, the borough of Leonia, New Jersey, has officially been removed from a controversial federal list of so-called “sanctuary cities,” according to an announcement from Mayor Bill Ziegler. The change follows a concerted effort by local and state officials to clarify the borough’s policies and affirm its compliance with federal immigration laws.
Leonia was one of 18 New Jersey municipalities placed on the list in April after a presidential executive order aimed at localities deemed to be “obstructing” the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The designation sparked debate and concern among residents and local leaders.
Advocacy Leads to Action
Mayor Ziegler credited Congressman Josh Gottheimer for his advocacy, noting that Gottheimer directly addressed the issue with the Department of Homeland Security Secretary. The result was a formal recognition that Leonia’s policies “have always complied with federal cooperation standards.”
The original list was taken down in June after widespread criticism from groups like the National Sheriffs’ Association. A new, updated list was published two months later, which no longer includes Leonia.
A Welcoming Community in Full Compliance
Mayor Ziegler emphasized that while the borough is no longer on the list, Leonia “remains a welcoming community.” He reiterated the sentiment that the borough’s commitment to being diverse and inclusive is not at odds with its cooperation with federal law enforcement on criminal matters.
The new federal list now includes only four New Jersey cities: Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, and Paterson. All four are also facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice over their immigration policies. Leonia’s removal from the list distinguishes it from these cities and brings an end to the local controversy.
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