He joins 275 other sheriffs in letter to President Biden
By JACK FICHTER/Sentinel staff
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — County Sheriff Robert Nolan added his signature to those of 275 other sheriffs from 39 states, representing a combined 19.8 million Americans, in a letter to President Joe Biden last week, urging him to secure the Mexican border and stop the mass influx of illegal immigration. Three other sheriffs in New Jersey signed the letter.
“The immigration policies set forth by President Biden are endangering residents across the country and here in Cape May County,” Nolan stated. “This is why I joined with hundreds of other sheriffs from throughout the United States to share our concerns for these plans which hinder law enforcement’s ability to serve and protect their communities.”
The letter was sent to Biden by email and standard mail.
“You must act now before our nation’s public safety resources are overwhelmed with the criminal side effects of unchecked illegal immigration, including transnational gangs, guns, dangerous drugs and human trafficking,” the letter states. “America’s sheriffs urge you, Mr. President, to reverse course and help us protect our communities by securing the southern border. Both the Barack Obama and Donald Trump administrations recognized the threats and dangers presented by illegal immigration. It is critically important that you see it as well.”
The letter states “America’s sheriffs recognize that in order for democracy to flourish and remain healthy in our republic, we must uphold and enforce the rule of law. There is no place for injecting political agendas that diminish the safety and security of our nation. We cannot undermine the confidence and faith of the people in our basic precept of equal justice under the law. Our founders established the legislative branch of government to create and amend laws. Neither ‘We, the People’ nor the founders ever intended for those elected officials chosen by the American people to represent their interests to circumvent the legislature and decide for themselves what special class of individuals will be excused from abiding by our existing laws.”
County Commissioner Director Gerald M. Thornton echoed his support for Nolan and the letter.
“We are proud to have Sheriff Nolan serving our residents in Cape May County,” Thornton stated. “I also have concerns about all the children being put in harm’s way and risking their lives without a parent traveling with them to reach the United States. It isn’t clear where these individuals will go and what burdens it will place upon all 50 states.”
The letter states: “In the interests of ending the undermining of our laws and the increased risks to the safety and security of the people of the United States of America, we respectfully request that you immediately reverse course on your pro-illegal immigration policies, resume the border wall construction, and embrace the common-sense, public-safety-supporting border policies of the previous administration.”
The letter concludes with a promise the sheriffs are ready to work with the Biden administration if it is “willing to move in the right direction.”
“Until that time, all of us will continue to uphold our oaths, enforce our sovereign authorities, fight for public safety, and keep our promises to the American people who have placed their trust in us,” states the letter.
Antwan McClellan, confidential assistant/public information officer for the county Sheriff’s Department and a First District Republican Assemblyman, told the Star and Wave that a few illegal immigrants have been incarcerated in the county jail but there has been no influx of illegal immigrants in Cape May County.
He said the department wanted to make sure it could keep its residents and visitors safe at all times.