LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. – New Jersey may be a ‘sanctuary state’ under Phil Murphy, but a handful of counties continue to go their own way. One of them is the Jersey Shore’s own Cape May County, home of iconic summer family beach resorts like Ocean City and Wildwood.

Cape May County’s Sheriff Bob Nolan, a Republican, recently signed an extension of the county’s agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Erick Simonsen, mayor of Lower Township and a candidate to represent LD1 (which includes Cape May County) in the General Assembly, spoke out this week to praise Nolan’s decision.

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“For thousands of immigrants across our great nation becoming a United States Citizen is one of the proudest days of their lives,” Simonsen said. “My own family was affected by the immigration process when my wife, her brother, and mother worked wholeheartedly to call America their home. And it was an honor to watched my brother in-law, Vadim, sweared the oath to become an American Citizen… only a few short days after he completed basic training for the United States Navy.”

Again, Cape May County is not completely alone in its Murphy era struggle.

Monmouth County’s Sheriff Shaun Golden took similar steps to secure his county’s ongoing relationship with ICE. Two other counties – Sussex and Ocean – are in the process of fighting the Murphy Administration’s fall 2018 sanctuary state directive in court.

Simonsen believes it’s a matter of respecting the rule of law and public safety.

“Like millions of legal immigrants, our elected officials swear an oath to protect the United States Constitution – it is their duty to protect the rights of millions of citizens who make America great,” Simonsen added. “However, under Governor Murphy’s unconstitutional Sanctuary State policies, local police officers and sheriff’s departments are directed to limit their cooperation with ICE. Ultimately, the Sanctuary State policy is placing the families of South Jersey at-risk, and most recently Attorney General Grewal’s directive has caused the death of a young child from South Jersey.” Simonsen, along with state Senate nominee Mike Testa and fellow Assembly challenger Antwan McClellan, are working to unseat Assemblymen Matt Milam and Bruce Land and State Sen. Bob Andrzejczak this upcoming November. New Jersey Republicans consider the three legislative seats in New Jersey’s southernmost district to present their best opportunity for Election 2019 pick ups.