Despite a photo circulating among Seton Hall community members that appears to show U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside campus gates on Monday, ICE told the South Orange Police Department (SOPD) that they were not active in that area.
The picture, posted to SHU’s 2026 Snapchat community around 1:44 p.m. May 11, shows four SUVs in a circle, with three people—two men and one woman—who appear to be wearing the type of vests typically seen on agents from ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The street sign in the back of the image reads Reynolds Place, which intersects with Woodbine Avenue in Newark. This intersection is just outside campus gates, opposite the Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center, on the border between Newark and South Orange.
In a statement to The Setonian, SOPD said they made contact with ICE, who then informed them that there were no operations in South Orange; however, ICE confirmed they were working in Newark. SOPD also said they are unable to confirm what agency was there, as ICE told them their officers were not in the area.
Following the posted photo, SOPD said they used Google Maps to determine that the image is of an area in Newark. SOPD also said they inquired about the specific location and ICE confirmed there was no record of operations near Reynolds Place; they were in other parts of Newark.
The Setonian reached out to the Newark Field Office for ICE for comment and has not yet heard back.
There have been reports of ICE activity in neighboring towns, like Maplewood. According to the Village Green, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson confirmed ICE Newark arrested four people from Costa Rica for “violations of U.S. immigration law” on May 5 near Springfield Avenue.
This is a developing story. Check back at TheSetonian.com or @TheSetonian on Instagram for updates.
Dominique Mercadante is the Editor-in-Chief of The Setonian. She can be reached at dominique.mercadante@student.shu.edu.
Sofia Kasbo is Managing Editor of The Setonian. She can be reached at sofia.kasbo@student.shu.edu
Megan Pitt, head editor of The Setonian’s News section, contributed to reporting.
