In response to recent reports that ICE New Jersey spokesman Emilio Dabul has affiliations to hate groups, Evan Bernstein, ADL New York / New Jersey Regional Director, issued the following statement:
“The apparent ties of ICE New Jersey spokesman Emilio Dabul to anti-Muslim extremists is a matter of serious concern. Dabul has well-documented ties to ACT for America, a group founded by Brigitte Gabriel that is now the largest anti-Muslim group in the United States. ACT propagates the hateful conspiracy theory that Muslims are infiltrating US institutions in order to impose Sharia law, stoking irrational fear of Muslims, and is leading the fight against immigration and refugee resettlement. A former editor for ACT, Dabul’s own prior writing also includes inflammatory statements about Muslims.
ICE’s immigration enforcement policies and tactics have already resulted in increased and deep anxiety and fear in immigrant communities throughout New Jersey. Dabul’s views and ties to extremism are fundamentally incompatible with serving as a spokesman on immigration activities for a law enforcement agency, and will only fuel additional fears of law enforcement by immigrants who continue to experience bigotry and intolerance every day. We are disturbed that ICE’s statements on Dabul’s past statements and activities have been dismissive, and do not fully address the seriousness of the issue. ICE must take appropriate steps to investigate immediately and communicate the seriousness of the situation.”