An organizer taken into police custody during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in Trenton has been released, as a statewide clash between local governments and the Trump administration over sanctuary city policies intensifies.

The arrest happened Thursday morning when ICE agents attempted to detain an individual in Trenton. Asma Elhuni, an organizer with Resistencia en Acción, was on site as part of a rapid response team and began livestreaming the incident on Facebook, demanding to see judicial warrants from ICE agents.

“These are community members, they’re our family members, they’re everyday people just like us,” Elhuni said.

Trenton is one of a handful of cities that have passed resolutions in support of the Immigrant Trust Act, which limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.

“We are not engaging with ICE yet if there’s an instance where we need to maintain order and safety of the streets we will engage,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “If they’re looking for the bad element, I don’t think anyone would have protested. It was when they allegedly went after a day laborer without a warrant. I think that is a misuse of taxpayer dollars.”

According to Mayor Gusciora, Elhuni crossed a perimeter Trenton police set up after being called by ICE. She was arrested for obstruction and issued a summons.

ICE did not respond to repeated efforts by News 12 to learn more about the details surrounding arrest attempts in Trenton and the possession of judicial warrant.

The incident comes as the Trump administration escalates pressure on sanctuary jurisdictions. Several mayors of New Jersey cities, including Newark, Hoboken, Paterson and Jersey City, have received letters from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi warning them of potential legal and financial consequences for refusing to comply with federal immigration enforcement.

In her letter, AG Bondi wrote:

“For too long, so-called sanctuary jurisdiction policies have undermined...federal immigration enforcement, giving aliens cover to perpetrate crimes in our communities...The President has directed the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to identify sanctuary jurisdictions...and evaluate the withholding of grants, contracts, and federal funds.”

Despite the threat, local leaders remain defiant. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla condemned the administration’s tactics as "egregious" – pledging to uphold protections and support for immigrant communities in his city.

“My concern is that we’re going to see escalation, unfortunately, on the ground,” said Bhalla. “It’s very important in this climate for there to be leadership from elected officials. And that starts with mayors on the front lines, who live in and interface with these communities every single day.”

Bhalla also urged the state legislature to pass the Immigrant Trust Act, which would restrict local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and solidify sanctuary city protections statewide.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka also responded to AG Bondi stating: “As the Mayor of the City of Newark, it is my responsibility to protect all of our 320,000+ residents and the many visitors who enter the city no matter their immigration status.”

He also requested AG Bondi not make further attempts to directly communicate with him as a previous complaint she filed against him is still outstanding.

Mayor Baraka pointed to the Immigrant Trust Directive, which has been upheld in court and gives the state power to direct how its law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities.

“We are not in violation of any constitutional laws, and your assertion that our policy is criminal in nature is flat out wrong,” said Baraka. “I completely disagree with your assertion that our policy is breaking federal laws, especially when the City of Newark is in compliance with the ITD, as upheld by the Third Circuit.”

Although Trenton passed a resolution in support of the Immigrant Trust Act, Mayor Reed Gusciora acknowledged that the city’s official sanctuary status granted by a council resolution about two decades ago may no longer be in effect. Unlike other cities, Trenton has not received a letter from the Department of Justice.

The city’s involvement in the ICE operation and the arrest of an immigrant rights organizer raise questions about how local policies are being implemented in practice.

Meantime, as tensions between local governments and federal authorities continue, the commitment for Mayor Bhalla is clear.

“We will not back down. We will protect residents in the City of Hoboken,” he said. “We’ve made that clear to Miss Bondi, and if that means further litigation or further challenges, we’re not afraid.”