Advocates and immigrant workers in Passaic took to the streets this weekend to protest the surge in ICE raids and arrests made under the Trump administration.

The we are Home march saw immigrants carrying flags of their home countries as they show solidarity with those who had been targeted in the first few weeks of President Trump's second term.

They condemned the raids that they say targeted innocent people who were not charged with crimes.

Nationally, ICE is reporting just under a thousand arrests a day.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora, a son of Dominican immigrants, has tried to calm the fears of his residents while also working alongside ICE to help detain what he calls violent criminals.

Mayor Lora joins me now to discuss ice activity in his city and his message to immigrants in his community.

Thank you for joining me, Mayor Lora.

Thank you.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be on your feet.

So over the weekend, immigrants and advocates held a march in your city, expressing concern over ramped up ice activity in the state under the new Trump administration.

What's your response to that?

Well, of course, considering the demographics of my city and of communities around our area, there is a lot of concern.

There's a lot of awareness of the activities that are going on directed by the president's administration and those tasked with enforcing immigration laws.

Right now, as mayor, I've been trying very hard to combat misinformation and disinformation to quell some of the concerns or calm the community to ensure that there is not panic or a lot of anxiety or fear.

Again, I reiterate, there's a lot of awareness, a lot of concern.

But unfortunately, some of the misinformation that's shared on social media is sometimes what residents are hearing, even from other people, creating circumstances and conditions where they children are scared, families are scared.

And I think as elected officials, we have a responsibility to share what's truly going on constantly and educate the public.

I mean, I couldn't agree more.

And I find through my own reporting that a lot of the Latino community goes to social media for their information and news.

So are you aware of any increase in ICE operations in your city in the last few weeks?

There has been an increase, especially the visibility and of community awareness regarding activity.

Now, let me be clear.

There has been ice activity within our city and throughout the state over the last ten years.

Oftentimes when there's an individual that perhaps has committed a violent crime or heinous act, they have reached out to local police departments explaining that there's going to be an operation within the city.

And this is for practical purposes.

Obviously, if there are phone calls to the local police stating that there are agents going into a building, are armed individuals or individuals who are who are wearing bulletproof vests or any equipment, the police have to be aware.

So oftentimes different levels of enforcement communicate with each other just to ensure that there is no confusion or any issues.

Right.

Well, according to census data, Passaic population is nearly three quarters Hispanic or Latino and more than 40% foreign born.

I also think it's worth pointing out that you are a son of Dominican immigrants.

So how are you speaking to the immigrant community in your city?

Well, I've been very candid and direct with our community.

I've explained that we have not had raids or any raids within our city.

If you're defining raids as immigration enforcement coming in and randomly grabbing groups of individuals, asking for papers and then rounding them up and bringing them in, that has not occurred.

What has occurred has been a number of strategic and coordinated operations targeting violent criminals within the city.

We have not had any raids in our schools, in our houses of worship.

I've encouraged our communities to continue to go to work, to continue to shop.

I reminded them that there have been operations under every administration.

Let's be direct here.

I see agents are going into third grade classes and asking for papers.

What are they going to receive?

A paper with crayons drawn on them or a crayon drawing?

That's not going to encourage children to go to school with paperwork.

That's not what's occurring.

Unfortunately, though, as I shared, some information is being shared on social media and it's creating concern.

So I relate to the community.

I explain that.

I understand their concern, that I empathize.

I'm here to support.

I'm here to ensure that I give information.

I think that it's important that we share that the city of Passaic cooperates.

We will not resist or oppose or fail to comply with any lawful immigration order when it comes to violent criminals.

Because whether you're documented or undocumented, if you commit a violent crime, if you abuse children, if you're transporting weapons illegally, we're here to cooperate with law enforcement, whether that's county, state or federal, because my number one priority is the public safety of our residents.

And I would tell you that Latinos, those who are documented, undocumented and individuals from every background would agree we don't want to create a situation where individuals believe we're harboring violent criminals or that the city is a safe haven for those who would abuse or harm others.

Mayor Lora, thank you for joining us.

Thank you.