The Morristown mayor?s controversial plan to deputize police officers as immigration agents has cleared another hurdle.

Mayor Donald Cresitello is pleased federal immigration officials in New Jersey approved his application. The plan now heads to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency in Washington for approval.

Cresitello?s plan to deputize police officers has been met with opposition since its creation. ?I think [police officers] have enough to deal with, with what?s on their plate,? Morristown resident Kurt Gibbons said.

Stuart Sydenstricker, of the immigration resource group Wind of the Spirit, said an application such as the one approved for Morristown is generally for communities with high crime statistics. However, he said Morristown is not seen as a high crime community. Wind of the Spirit plans to look into how the application got approved.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate voted 49-48 to phase out the controversial temporary worker program after five years.

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