Jersey City Daily: Campus Events, ICE Fallout, and Community Faith
Jersey City, NJ – February 18, 2026 – Campus events, ICE tensions, and local faith celebrations shape today’s headlines as residents look ahead.
Jersey City, NJ – Local life today is shaped by busy campus events, concern over recent immigration actions nearby, and vibrant religious celebrations across the region.
Busy week ahead at NJCU
New Jersey City University has rolled out a full slate of events for February 16–23, ranging from athletics to health and wellness and student support programs. Highlights include men’s basketball postseason play, a men’s volleyball home match, and workshops focused on student health, executive function in young children, and conversations for men of color.
Students and neighbors can also find evening recreation, including a 2-ball tournament and other social activities on campus. Most events are open to the wider community or designed to connect students with campus resources, reinforcing NJCU’s role as an anchor institution on the city’s West Side.
ICE arrest near Union City church sparks anxiety
Just up the road from Jersey City, two men were detained by federal immigration agents outside a church in Union City over the weekend, drawing sharp concern from local leaders and immigrant advocates. Video recorded by residents showed agents taking the men into custody on a residential street as Sunday services were underway.
Federal officials say the men were targeted because of their immigration status, but community members and elected officials argue that any enforcement near a house of worship undermines trust and public safety. The incident comes amid broader tension over immigration operations across northern New Jersey, with Jersey City activists urging neighbors to know their rights and support vulnerable families.
Maha Shivratri and regional Hindu celebrations
Jersey City’s large South Asian and Hindu communities are marking the period around Maha Shivratri with prayer, ritual, and community service. While major temple observances took place over the weekend in New Jersey and New York, local congregations in and around Jersey City continue hosting bhajans, lectures, and volunteer opportunities tied to the festival.
Many residents traveled to nearby temples for all-night vigils, abhishekam rituals, and interfaith programs, reflecting the cross-river nature of religious life for families who split time between Jersey City, Hudson County suburbs, and Queens. Community leaders say the celebrations highlight both spiritual practice and the civic presence of Hindu organizations in the city.
Looking ahead
With Presidents Day now past and light snow still in the regional forecast this week, Jersey City residents are watching transit schedules closely, planning campus visits, and checking in on neighbors affected by immigration enforcement. From university gyms to neighborhood sanctuaries, local institutions continue to anchor daily life through a busy winter stretch.
Sources
- https://www.njcu.edu/about/news/2026/02/week-njcu-february-16-2026
- https://www.njcu.edu/about/news/week-njcu
- https://abc7ny.com/18608621
- https://hudsonreporter.com/news/jersey-city/jersey-city-hundreds-rally-against-ice-after-hudson-county-arrests
- https://tapinto.net/towns/jersey-city/sections/religions-and-spirituality/articles/jersey-citys-hindu-community-marks-maha-shivratri-with-prayer-ritual-and-service
- https://hindutone.com/global-hindu-presence/usa/maha-shivaratri-2026-in-usa
