Hudson Dem Politicians Slap Restraining Order on Anti-ICE Activists

Democratic officials in Hudson County, N.J., obtained a restraining order Tuesday against immigration activists who have been protesting the county's new contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in front of the home of County Executive Tom DeGise, a Democrat. 

Last month, county freeholders reversed their previous position and voted to renew a contract to hold ICE detainees at the county jail for another decade. DeGise, the county's top elected official, pushed the extension because he says the county needs the revenue due to the pandemic. But DeGise didn't attend the meeting when the vote was held, so activists have staged protests in front of his home. 

Now, in an unusual move for elected officials, DeGise, along with five Democratic county freeholders who voted for the ICE contract, have obtained a restraining order that forbids picketing near their homes. The order also limits protests to once every two weeks between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m. -- amounting to two hours each month -- and restricts crowd size to 10 people.

A spokesperson for DeGise didn't return a request for comment.