Sherrill bars ICE from NJ state property, launches portal

The basics:

• Executive Order No. 12 limits ICE access to nonpublic areas of NJ state property without judicial warrant
• Order applies to state offices, medical facilities, child care centers, public university dorms
• Attorney General launches online portal for residents to report ICE interactions, alleged misconduct
• State also rolls out multilingual ‘Know Your Rights’ website outlining constitutional protections

Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced a series of actions Feb. 11 aimed at protecting New Jersey residents from what she described as unlawful immigration enforcement by the Trump administration.

Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 12 Feb. 11 at the State House in Trenton. The EO prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering or using nonpublic areas of state property to conduct operations without a judicial warrant.

The order applies to locations such as state offices, residential medical facilities, child care centers and public university dormitories.

“I take seriously my responsibility to keep New Jersey residents safe and, as a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, my commitment to upholding the Constitution will never waver,” said Sherrill. “This executive order will prohibit ICE from using state property to launch operations.”

Additionally, the state Attorney General’s Office launched an online portal. The hub allows residents to submit photos and videos of interactions with ICE, including alleged excessive force, warrantless searches or arrests, racial profiling and other potential civil rights violations. Sherrill says the portal is intended to help the state track enforcement trends and pursue legal action where appropriate.

Avoiding the clash

The administration also introduced a “Know Your Rights” website. Available in 22 languages, the page aims to provide residents with information about their constitutional rights, as well as access to legal resources, when interacting with federal agents.

Sherrill said the measures aim to safeguard public safety, uphold constitutional protections and hold federal authorities accountable for misconduct.

“Today, we are making clear that the Trump administration’s lawless actions will not go unchecked in New Jersey,” said Sherrill. “Given ICE’s willingness to flout the Constitution and violently endanger communities – detaining children, arresting citizens, and even killing several innocent civilians – I will stand up for New Jerseyans right to be safe.”

When federal immigration officers violate the law and sow fear in our communities, they undermine public trust in law enforcement …
— acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport

“It is essential that federal agents who conduct immigration enforcement operations in New Jersey follow the Constitution, as well as federal and state laws,” said acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “When federal immigration officers violate the law and sow fear in our communities, they undermine public trust in law enforcement and make it harder for us to keep the public safe. We encourage the public to share photos and videos through our new online portal.

“We will ensure the safety of our communities and hold the federal government accountable when they violate the law.”

What happened in Roxbury?

Reiterating concerns about constitutionality and spreading “fear in immigrant communities,” acting Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha said the Sherrill administration is committed to standing on the side of facts, fairness, and human dignity.”

The actions come amid rising tensions between ICE and local communities, such as the recent tragedies in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

It also comes on the heels of a local incident this week in Roxbury. Still under investigation, the event resulted in shots fired and no injuries during an ICE operation.

“This is legally illiterate. Enforcing federal immigration laws is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause,” a U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told NJBIZ. “While New Jersey sanctuary politicians continue to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto their streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make New Jersey safe again.

“How does this serve the people of New Jersey? The biggest losers are the people these politicians were elected to serve.”

People and politics at play

Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio, R-23rd District, blasted Sherrill for launching the portal. He described it as reckless and dangerous.

“This is state-sponsored intimidation of federal law enforcement, plain and simple,” said DiMaio. “It’s reckless. And it’s dangerous.”

The Assembly Republican leader warned that the move to encourage the public to document and report law enforcement activity invites harassment, misinformation and confrontation.

“When you empower activists to stalk officers doing their jobs, you are deliberately raising the temperature,” he said. “This isn’t about transparency. It’s about politics.”

Carlos Medina, president and CEO of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, applauded the actions.

“New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation and our small business are under siege from ICE’s economic disruption — putting lives and livelihoods at risk,” said Medina. “Thank you, Gov. Sherrill, for standing with the Hispanic community who contribute $127 billion in GDP annually.”