16-year-old girl shields family from possible ICE raid in Passaic

New Jersey was not expected to see a lot of immigration activity this past weekend after President Donald Trump announced a nationwide sweep of immigrants living in the country illegally.

News 12 Staff

Jul 16, 2019, 2:37 AM

Updated 1,740 days ago

Share:

New Jersey was not expected to see a lot of immigration activity this past weekend after President Donald Trump announced a nationwide sweep of immigrants living in the country illegally.
But a Passaic teen says she shielded her parents from a group of men who identified themselves as police officers and immigration agents.
News 12 New Jersey has agreed to conceal the family’s identity out of security concerns. Laysha, 16, and her three sisters were born in the United States. But she says her parents are not in the country legally.
Laysha says the encounter happened Sunday around 1 a.m. at her family’s home in Passaic. She says two men pounded on her door and said they were police and ICE agents.
“I said, ‘I'm not going to open door - you said you didn't need to come into my house. And you don't have papers - so I'm not going to open it,’” Laysha says.
She says the two men left but came back a few hours later.
“It was a lot scarier then. This time they were banging on the door and went through the backyard and started banging on my window with flashlights, saying it was state police and needed to come into the house,” Laysha says.
News 12 New Jersey has not been able to confirm if the people at Laysha’s door were law enforcement. Passaic Mayor Hector Lora says this is what he fears could happen since the sweeps were announced – someone pretending to be law enforcement.
“What if it's individuals with nefarious intent - identifying themselves as law enforcement or ICE agents trying to enter into a home?" he asks.
Lora says federal agencies would typically coordinate with local police departments and that did not happen this time.
Laysha says she is fearful for her parents.
"I don't have anything to worry about - but it's them. They are immigrants here, I know they work really hard every day,” she says. “I have younger siblings and my older sister who is just 19 and can't be responsible for us. She's a kid too.”
Lora says anyone who may find themselves in a similar position should contact local police.


More from News 12
1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12