Morristown Immigration Raids: Why Grupo Cajola’s Work Is Important

Morristown’s recent immigration raids, though not as overwhelming nor dramatic as those we’ve seen in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other cities across the U.S., nevertheless struck terror into the hearts of our local immigrant community.

On a personal basis, one young man from Cajolá was detained -- and subsequently deported -- in this raid.

The Morristown community has come together to defend the immigrants including strong visible support from the Morris School District, St. Margaret’s church, and a newly formed Rapid Response group made up of citizens, teachers, counselors, and businesses. They have organized to provide food, accompaniment of children to school, coordination with detainees. Whatever needs surface, the group educates itself and works to meet these needs. If the occasion wasn’t so awful it would be wonderful to see all of the support provided by the community of Morristown.

At the same time, that immigrant community is trying to be invisible, because ICE raids conducted by unidentifiable masked men continue.

With significant numbers of Cajolense living in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Maryland, Virginia, and Atlanta, among other locations, it isn’t surprising that results of the ICE attacks have been felt in Cajolá, with about 40 deported immigrants returning so far and an unknown number in detention.

Amazingly enough (to me), some have already turned around to go back to the U.S. Some of those have succeeded, while others have not. Remember the huge debt that they undertake to go north. If they are deported before paying off that debt and its 10% monthly interest, they have to go back because there is absolutely no way to pay it off working in Cajolá. The current cost to go north (via coyote) is reportedly around $20,000.

The remittances that Guatemalans send home are an integral part of the economy of Guatemala representing 20% of the GNP. Although January’s and February's remittances were still higher than in 2025, it might be due to immigrants sending their savings back to Guatemala for fear of deportation along with deciding that NOW is the moment to begin to build that house in Cajolá. In any case, losing remittances will certainly increase the already significant levels of poverty and extreme poverty in the country.

Grupo Cajolá was founded by immigrants with the dream of developing the community so that people aren´t forced to migrate. That seems quite timely now.