DOVER, New Jersey.- The Dover fair has divided residents of this New Jersey community after activists promoted a boycott amid concerns about recent ICE operations and their effects on immigrant families.
The divisions reached the Town Council, where residents questioned the event and Mayor James Dodd’s response to the immigration situation affecting part of the Latino community.
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María Chacón, a Dover resident, said during the meeting that federal immigration agents are frequently present in the town. She also said that some undocumented people and people with relatives lacking authorized immigration status are afraid to leave their homes or take part in public activities.
In the weeks before the event, Spanish-language messages circulated on social media promoting a boycott. Organizers urged people not to spend money during the fair as a form of protest against what they consider an insufficient response to the consequences of ICE operations.
Dodd later held a private meeting with approximately 25 residents to hear their concerns. During the meeting, he proposed allocating part of the fair’s revenue to purchase supplies for Latino families in need.
The proposal drew mixed reactions. Some participants viewed it as a way to assist affected families, while others questioned both the initiative and the decision to hold a private meeting instead of an open hearing for the entire community.
Violeta López, who administers a private WhatsApp group that shares reports about ICE presence in Dover, said she would take part in the fair with a booth to raise funds for families in need. She said her decision does not represent support for the mayor.
Brahiam Vargas, another resident who met with Dodd, said he no longer supports the boycott, although he remains concerned about safety. He said each person should assess their own situation before deciding whether to attend the event.
During the council meeting, James Dodd defended the fair and said it had been booked approximately a year in advance. He also said he has held meetings to find ways to assist residents affected by immigration issues.
The mayor added that some of the funds raised would be used to buy diapers and other supplies for families in need. He said the town is considering delivering the assistance directly to the homes of people who are afraid to go out.
The controversy highlights the different positions within the community over how to respond to immigration operations while maintaining community activities that provide income for some residents. The fair will go forward despite the divisions surrounding the event.
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