Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4302: Prohibits certain employment of certain US Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees in certain State and local positions.

This bill prohibits individuals employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as agents or officers between September 1, 2025, and January 20, 2029, from working in specific New Jersey state or local positions. It directly affects ICE employees during that period, disqualifying them from becoming state/local government workers, law enforcement officers, or teachers. The key provision (Section 2a) bans such employment regardless of compensation, covering roles like school staff, sworn police officers, and public agency employees. The bill defines "law enforcement officer" broadly to include police, correctional officers, and campus security, and "teacher" to encompass all school staff.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits ICE employees from state/local roles, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3267: Establishes law enforcement procedures for responding to immigration detainers and certain requests issued by federal immigration authorities.

This bill (A 3267) requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities to refuse federal immigration detainer requests unless the person has been convicted of specific serious crimes, such as murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, or terrorism. It prohibits agencies from detaining, transferring, or notifying federal authorities about a person solely based on immigration requests unless one of these 21 offenses applies. The bill does not prevent agencies from sharing immigration status information with other government entities under existing federal law (8 U.S.C. 1373). It aligns with court rulings confirming states are not obligated to comply with immigration detainers and mirrors California’s "Trust Act" approach. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts immigration detainers unless serious crimes committed, protecting civil rights and limiting law enforcement overreach in criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts state cooperation with federal immigration detainers, prohibiting detention based solely on immigration status unless specific serious crimes apply.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 611: "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act."

This New Jersey bill, the "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act," prohibits landlords from threatening to disclose or disclosing tenants' immigration status to force them to leave, or using that status as a reason to evict. It directly protects residential tenants, especially immigrant and undocumented residents, by banning such discriminatory practices in housing. Key provisions include allowing tenants to sue landlords for violations (with damages up to $2,000 per incident), preventing courts from questioning immigration status in housing cases unless directly relevant to a tenant’s claim, and making it harder for landlords to use immigration status as an eviction reason. The law amends existing tenant protection laws to explicitly shield tenants from housing discrimination based on immigration status.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits immigration status discrimination in evictions, directly protecting tenant rights per bill summary95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits landlords from using immigration status for eviction/threats, directly protecting immigrant tenants. Aligns with 'protect' indicator in support stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3104: Requires expunged records to be accessible for immigration purposes.

This bill requires New Jersey to make expunged criminal records accessible to non-citizen residents who need them for immigration or naturalization applications. It amends state law to ensure that when a court grants an expungement, the records specified in that order can be provided to the person or their representative upon request for immigration purposes. Currently, expunged records are treated as nonexistent for most purposes, but this creates barriers for non-citizens needing accurate records for federal immigration proceedings. The bill specifically defines "immigration or naturalization matter" to include any U.S. immigration or citizenship-related process. This change directly affects non-citizen residents who have had criminal records expunged but require those records to support immigration status applications.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barrier for non-citizens needing expunged records for immigration, aligning with criminal justice reform by improving access to legal documentation and reducing systemic hurdles.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves barrier preventing non-citizens from accessing expunged records needed for immigration applications, directly protecting immigrant rights and facilitating naturalization processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3216: "Transparency in Federal Law Enforcement Activities Act"; establishes law enforcement officer identification requirements under certain circumstances.

S 3216, the "Transparency in Federal Law Enforcement Activities Act," requires federal law enforcement officers (such as ICE or CBP agents) operating in New Jersey with state or local law enforcement to visibly display their name and agency on identification and verbally state this information upon request when questioning, detaining, or arresting someone. It applies to all federal agents participating in joint operations with New Jersey agencies. State and local officers must refuse to assist in any operation if federal agents fail to comply, and violations can lead to disciplinary action against officers or private lawsuits for affected residents. The bill clarifies it does not interfere with lawful federal actions but mandates transparency during cooperative law enforcement activities within New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires federal officers to visibly identify themselves during interactions, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement operations.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires federal immigration agents (ICE/CBP) to identify themselves during interactions, limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement per bill's requirement for local officers to refuse assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2727: "New Jersey Sovereignty Act"; places certain limitations on deployment of National Guard; directs law enforcement to maintain independence from federal government; requires reporting of certain federal government requests.

The New Jersey Sovereignty Act (S 2727) restricts the deployment of the state's National Guard for active duty combat to only situations requiring a congressional declaration of war or specific congressional authorization under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15 of the U.S. Constitution. It prohibits state and local law enforcement from providing certain federal assistance - such as immigration enforcement, sharing non-public personal data, or granting access to detention facilities - without explicit state authorization from the Attorney General or Governor. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies immediately report all federal requests for cooperation to assess whether they comply with New Jersey's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. These provisions directly affect New Jersey's National Guard and law enforcement agencies by establishing clear boundaries for state-federal interactions.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits state law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement, sharing data, or granting facility access without explicit authorization, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration actions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2771: Establishes protections for immigrants interacting with government agencies; designates "New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act."

S 2771, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, prohibits state and local government agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration authorities based on immigration detainers. It requires agencies like schools, hospitals, and law enforcement to provide services without fear of immigration enforcement, ensuring all residents access public services regardless of immigration status. The bill specifically bans cooperation with "immigration detainers" (requests from federal authorities to detain people) unless supported by a judicial warrant. This directly affects immigrant communities by reducing barriers to healthcare, education, and public safety services, while directing state resources toward local priorities instead of federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits state agencies from holding individuals for federal immigration detainers, protecting immigrants from law enforcement overreach and ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBans state cooperation with federal immigration detainers, ensures public service access regardless of status, protecting immigrant rights per bill's explicit provisions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 57: Strongly condemns decision of President Trump to permit immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals.

SCR 57 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution condemning President Trump's decision to rescind a federal policy that prohibited immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, and shelters. It specifically targets the Trump administration's reversal of Biden-era guidance that protected these areas, which had been in place since 2011. The resolution states this change deters immigrant families - including U.S. citizen children - from accessing essential services like healthcare, education, and disaster relief. As a symbolic statement (not a law), it reaffirms New Jersey's commitment to equal access to services regardless of immigration status and will be sent to the President, Homeland Security Secretary, and New Jersey's congressional delegation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects schools as safe spaces for immigrant families, directly supporting educational access by preventing immigration enforcement from deterring attendance.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCondemns federal policy allowing immigration enforcement in schools/hospitals, aligning with protections for immigrant families in sensitive locations per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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