New Jersey Father Is Deported After Local Police Turn Him Over to ICE

A New Jersey man who was turned over to immigration authorities in a possible violation of the state's sanctuary policy has been deported to Honduras. Melvin Herrera-Interiano had an order of deportation for missing a court date after illegally entering the country 15 years ago. In November, he was driving to work with a valid driver's license. But police in Plainfield pulled him over for making an illegal turn. Instead of releasing him with a ticket, they turned him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigrant advocates say this violated the state's directive limiting cooperation with ICE — and they filed a complaint with internal affairs for Plainfield Police, which denies wrongdoing. Herrera-Interiano's family pleaded with the courts and elected officials, saying he was needed in the United States to care for his two children with autism.