Since the Trump administration, New Jersey has become a key target for federal immigration enforcement. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out its first large-scale raids in the state, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested, and charges were brought against U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill, all reflecting the federal government’s tough stance on immigration. Recently, the Department of Justice filed lawsuits against four of New York State’s largest cities and their governing bodies, accusing them of implementing so-called “sanctuary city” policies. The cities named include Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla strongly denied the allegations, stating there is no evidence that the Hoboken Police Department has interfered with or obstructed federal enforcement efforts. New Jersey local law enforcement operates under the 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits the sharing of citizenship and immigration status information during many police interactions. Despite this, progressive groups and activists have called for this directive to be codified into state law. However, progress has been slow in the state legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, and the proposed bill has yet to pass.
Amy Torres of the New Jersey Immigrant Justice Alliance noted that the state is currently in the primary election phase, with some candidates publicly supporting the Immigrant Trust Act and hoping to see it enacted before taking office. Meanwhile, other leading candidates have expressed reluctance to back the bill, fearing it could trigger costly legal challenges. The future of the Immigrant Trust Act remains uncertain, making it a central issue in New Jersey’s ongoing immigration policy debate.
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