The Community Coalition on Race is deeply disturbed and outraged by the recent abductions of people in both Maplewood and South Orange by ICE and Border Patrol agents. Taken in broad daylight, people were seized by masked officers in unmarked vehicles—actions that spread fear, undermine public trust, and violate the dignity and safety of our community.

As we have seen in Los Angeles and other communities, the tactics employed by ICE and Border Patrol are often grounded in racial profiling—a practice now upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court—and appear intended to have a broad, chilling impact. These actions deter Black, Brown, and immigrant community members, including U.S. citizens, from fully participating in daily life out of fear that they will be stopped and detained.

Our mission has always been to build a community where every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, or immigration status, can live free from fear and fully participate in civic life. These raids directly oppose that vision. No one in South Orange and Maplewood should be afraid to travel to work, send their children to school, or simply live their lives with security and belonging.

We call for justice, transparency, and accountability in this case, and we stand in solidarity with immigrant neighbors, workers, and visitors who are too often targeted by discriminatory and dehumanizing enforcement practices. We urge elected officials, civic leaders, and community members to join together in demanding an end to such violations and to strengthen protections for all residents.

The Coalition reaffirms its commitment to fostering a community of equity, inclusion, and safety for every person who works in, visits, or calls SOMA home.

Actions you can take:

• Put the DIRE Hotline, (888) 347-3767, in your phone and call if you see ICE.

• Join SOMA Action and SOMA Justice at one of their upcoming events on urgent immigration issues. Learn more here.