A group of New Jersey Republicans are seeking to reverse a directive from the state’s district attorney general that limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration officials. Assemblymen Greg Myhre and Brian Rumpf and state Sen. Carmen Amato Jr. have introduced companion bills in the state Assembly and Senate that would repeal the so-called “sanctuary state” directive. This would allow local police officers to coordinate with ICE to detain illegal migrants. The lawmakers argue that the directive undermines public safety and creates a separate class of people who are allowed to break the law and undermine U.S. sovereignty.
New Jersey has been overwhelmed by illegal migrant arrivals in recent months, with buses dropping off undocumented migrants at various NJ Transit train stations. Many of these families have then made their way to New York City. The lawmakers believe that the state’s attorney general could address this issue immediately, but are pushing for legislative action to ensure accountability within the executive branch. However, the bill’s passage may face challenges in the state’s Democratic-controlled House and Senate, as well as with the governor, who is a Democrat.
Attorney General Matt Platkin’s directive, issued in 2018, prohibits state, county, and local law enforcement agencies from assisting or communicating with ICE agents for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration law. It also places restrictions on the handling of immigration detainers, such as not informing individuals of their impending release from custody or extending detention based solely on civil immigration detainer requests. The lawmakers view this directive as a failure of federal and state immigration policies and a disservice to law-abiding, taxpaying citizens who are concerned about public safety.
New Jersey is home to over 500,000 illegal migrants, according to the American Immigration Council, with roughly 17,000 entering the state illegally in 2023. The lawmakers argue that repealing the sanctuary state directive is necessary to address the challenges posed by illegal migration and to uphold the rule of law. They emphasize the need for public education and legislative debate on this issue, even though they face an uphill battle in the Democratic-controlled state legislature. The lawmakers stress the importance of ensuring public safety and responsible use of state tax dollars in addressing this lawless policy.
The lawmakers are committed to advocating for the repeal of the sanctuary state directive and ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the discretion to cooperate with federal immigration officials. They believe that this issue has national implications and must be addressed at the state level to protect public safety and uphold U.S. sovereignty. Despite potential opposition from Democratic lawmakers, the Republican legislators are focused on raising awareness about the dangers of perpetuating such policies and advocating for accountability within the state government. They see the repeal of the directive as a crucial step in addressing the challenges posed by illegal migration and protecting the interests of law-abiding citizens in New Jersey.
