Department of Justice Sues New Jersey Over ICE Access Restrictions

The Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against New Jersey, following the state’s decision to restrict access for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to certain federal properties.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) enacted this measure on February 11. Known as Executive Order No. 12, it prohibits federal immigration officials from entering “nonpublic areas of federal land to enforce civil immigration laws” unless they secure a judicial warrant or order.

“Federal employees risk their lives to keep New Jerseyans safe, yet the state’s leaders are implementing policies that endanger law enforcement,” remarked a federal representative.

The governor defended the action as a way to “safeguard against ICE raids on federal property.”

Sherrill stated, “I take my duty to ensure the safety of New Jersey residents very seriously. As a Navy veteran and former federal prosecutor, my commitment to uphold the Constitution remains unwavering. This order prevents ICE from utilizing state resources for operations. It also equips our residents with the means to report ICE activities to the Attorney General’s Office and informs them of their rights.”

The governor’s office accused ICE agents during the Trump administration of “resorting to violence and breaching constitutional rights.”

In response, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on February 23. The complaint criticized New Jersey’s leadership for allegedly encouraging the concealment of criminals from federal enforcement.

The lawsuit asserted that Sherrill intended to “willfully obstruct the enforcement of federal law,” implying that she was “celebrating the undermining of the President’s constitutional duty to enforce immigration laws.” The Justice Department claimed the executive order obstructs federal authority and discriminates intentionally, arguing this violates the Supremacy Clause, which prevents states from undermining Congress’s authority.

“Federal employees are risking their lives for the safety of New Jersey residents, while the state enacts policies that thwart law enforcement efforts,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. “The state can’t purposely sabotage our attempts to remove illegal individuals and apprehend criminals. New Jersey’s sanctuary policy simply isn’t effective.”

Cheryl voiced her thoughts on the lawsuit, indicating, “Instead of going after states like New Jersey to ensure safety, the federal government should focus on providing proper training for ICE officers, similar to what law enforcement personnel in New Jersey receive.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, new ICE agents undergo 56 days of training, paired with an average of 28 days of on-the-job experience.