“We don’t need a warrant, bro.”
That moment, captured on cellphone video in Jersey City, is just one of several viral clips showing immigration enforcement activity becoming more visible and, critics say, more aggressive.
In another video, recorded in Burlington County, it’s knocking on a door and a voice: “Who is home? Open the door.”
As those captured moments spread online, civil rights organizations say it’s never been more urgent to strengthen New Jersey immigrant protections.
From January-October 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement made more than 6,000 arrests nationwide, and New Jersey saw its detention capacity more than quadruple, according to Ami Kachalia, campaign strategist for the ACLU of New Jersey
“We know that’s only going to increase because ICE is considering converting a warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey, to an immigration detention center, and there have been long talks about using Fort Dix, a military base in New Jersey, as a detention center, too,” Kachalia told NJ Spotlight News.
With a new Legislature seated and Gov. Mikie Sherrill in office, immigrant rights groups are pushing to revive two bills that were pocket-vetoed last year by then-Gov. Phil Murphy. Dante Apaestegui, federal policy and advocacy strategist for the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, says communities are demanding enforceable protections.
“Advocates, faith leaders and impacted families are coming together to call for swift passage of strong immigrant protections that guarantee due process and limit harmful entanglement between local systems and federal immigration enforcement,” Apaestegui said.
The Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee on Thursday is scheduled to consider the measures.
One bill would codify into law the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which blocks law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The proposed legislation carves out exceptions for serious criminal cases and judge-signed removal orders. The second measure, known as the Privacy Protection Act, would restrict how state and local agencies collect and share personal information, including immigration status.
“There’s nothing I can do to help as far as arrests and detention,” said Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D-Bergen), a sponsor of the bills. “But there are other things I can do such as legislating sensitive places, and we are pushing new Governor Mikie Sherrill to push the Privacy Act as well as the codification of the AG directive.”
The committee is also weighing a bill that would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings when interacting with the public. Some ICE agents conceal their identities during enforcement actions, raising accountability concerns. ICE officials have previously said the face coverings prevent harassment of officers.
The measure cleared committee in December 2025 but didn’t receive a full floor vote.
Sherrill’s office declined to comment, saying it doesn’t weigh in on bills under consideration. Her office previously stated she supports codifying the Immigrant Trust Directive, though not expanding it in ways that could weaken the state’s legal defense.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Fraternal Order of Police didn’t respond to requests for comment.
This story is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.
