Debates and protests are taking place across New Jersey over the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ongoing tactics, as more cities and towns find themselves dealing with unannounced raids, fearful residents and angry protests.
In his final State of the State speech, Gov. Phil Murphy sought to reassure residents that his administration still staunchly opposes the Trump administration launching ICE to enforce mass deportations.
“Our fundamental rights are never up for debate in New Jersey,” Murphy said on Tuesday. “And to all of our immigrant families, allow me to say the following: I can only imagine how harrowing the past year has been. But rest assured, New Jersey is your home. We have always supported you. And we always will.”
Hearing that, immigrant advocates said they believe Murphy will sign a trio of controversial bills some have dubbed “anti-ICE” measures. The three bills codify New Jersey’s existing Immigrant Trust Directive, limiting local law enforcement assistance to ICE agents, restricting the sharing information on residents’ immigration status, and designating “safe spaces” like schools, hospitals, courthouses and places of worship that would be off-limits to ICE enforcement.
“[Agents] are picking up anyone who appears remotely ‘other,’ threatening anyone who tries to speak up, as the Trump administration continues to weaponize ICE,” said state Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D-Bergen), sponsor of the bills that passed the Legislature on Monday. “These bills set boundaries and offer crucial protection.”
Advocates also cheered, but said they remain aware that efforts to protect immigrants could draw political reprisals.
President Trump on Tuesday threatened to withhold federal funds from so-called sanctuary states and cities. New Jersey is not among the states on a list put out last year by the U.S. Department of Justice, but four cities in New Jersey are included. Immigrant rights groups call the trio of bills crucial for public safety.
“We are very clear that these bills together do not constitute a ‘sanctuary’ status,” said Nedia Morsy, director of Make The Road New Jersey, an immigration advocacy group. “We are making it very, very clear for New Jersey residents about where and how ICE enforcement can take place, so that people can very confidently navigate through life every day as a New Jersey resident.”
“These are protections that our community needs, and it’s all about saving as much families as we can,” added Alex Mendoza, a community organizer with El Pueblo Unido in Atlantic City. “We know they’re coming. With Trump, even if you try to cave in, he will continue to push and push and push. So that’s why we have to put up that fight, because even if we don’t, he’s still going to come.”
Neighborhood fears have spiked as well after the Trump administration defended an ICE agent who recently shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mom, in Minneapolis. Last Sunday in Morristown, protests flared when ICE detained high school senior Juan Daniel Mendoza during raids at a local laundromat.
Advocates hurriedly launched a GoFundMe to hire lawyers for Mendoza, and Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty on Facebook urged calm: “I’ll meet with some of our Latino leaders today to discuss next steps. Stay calm. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and people caught in the sweep. Stay focused. Stay alert.”
Pushback from Republicans
The White House has weighed in on the package of bills now on Murphy’s desk. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told NJ Spotlight News: “The New Jersey legislature should focus on protecting law-abiding citizens, not the criminal illegal aliens who kill them.”
Jackson referred to Raul Luna Perez, a Mexican immigrant with prior DUIs who was charged with manslaughter and vehicular homicide after a deadly car crash that killed a Lakewood mom and her 11-year-old daughter. State Assembly Republicans cited to the Luna Perez case as well when they made last-ditch arguments against the immigrant protection bills.
“I’ll cut right to the chase, every illegal alien in this state needs to go home,” said Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean). “And the majority of New Jerseyans want them to.”
“This bill ties the hands of law enforcement and prohibits communication between local, county, state and federal branches,” added Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth). “This is also another legislative attempt to further entrench the costly status of New Jersey as a sanctuary state.”
Assemblyman Gregory Myhre (R-Ocean) said “to think New Jersey can stall the federal government is to ignore reality”
“With the passage of the recent Big Beautiful Bill, ICE’s budget has increased by 300%, larger than FBI and double the Coast Guard,” he said. “They spend more in one week than the New Jersey State Police in an entire year. They have the resources, and they will use them.”
Murphy leaves office on Jan. 20 and has not yet signed the bills into law. On his final “Ask the Governor” radio appearance on Wednesday evening, he said he was weighing the various legal implications, adding that the existing guidelines have worked well. If Murphy fails to act, the bills will die, and sponsors would have to reintroduce them in the new, 222nd legislative session.
Gov-elect Mikie Sherrill has avoided commenting on the trio of anti-ICE bills, but she’s showed some support for the attorney general’s Immigrant Trust Directive.
And after Good was shot in Minneapolis, Sherrill posted a stinging condemnation, noting: “I know as a former prosecutor and military veteran that sending armed, masked agents into communities to drive a political agenda does not make us safer, but it instead creates a culture of fear, distrust, and resentment. New Jersey stands against this assault on our Constitution and our values.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers this week heard first-hand the story of one such incident. In testimony before the Senate judiciary committee, 17-year-old Alison Garcia described how her mother was taken last July and swiftly deported within two weeks.
“The speed left no room for fairness, due process or consideration for the child left behind,” she said. “Overnight, my life changed.”
