Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

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

A 558: Requires law enforcement agencies to adopt policies of cooperation with federal immigration officials.

This bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement agencies - including municipal, county, and state police departments, as well as educational institutions with campus police - to adopt written policies for cooperating with federal immigration authorities upon request. It defines "law enforcement officer" broadly to include those with arrest powers under state law. The bill also mandates that the state defend officers in civil lawsuits arising from cooperation (unless misconduct occurred) and cover settlement costs for officers following the policy. This directly affects thousands of officers across New Jersey’s 566 municipalities and educational institutions with police forces. The policy change would standardize cooperation with federal immigration enforcement at the local level.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicator of increased enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

AR 18: Directs AG to repeal and amend certain provisions of directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

This bill (AR 18) directs New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal and amend specific parts of the 2018 Law Enforcement Directive (No. 2018-6), which previously restricted state and local law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with federal authorities like ICE. It specifically targets the restriction on sharing citizenship/immigration status details, allowing law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration agencies when necessary for public safety. The bill preserves exceptions for T-Visa (human trafficking victims) and U-Visa (crime victim) certification procedures. It directly affects New Jersey police departments, sheriffs' offices, and state law enforcement agencies by removing legal barriers to cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill repeals restriction on sharing immigration status with federal authorities (ICE), removing a protective measure for immigrants and enabling greater cooperation with federal enforcement, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 153: Prohibits municipal ordinance to create sanctuary city; establishes State and local employee ethics violation upon noncompliance with federal immigration enforcement request.

This bill prohibits New Jersey municipalities from passing ordinances that require local officials to refuse cooperation with federal immigration enforcement requests. It directly affects municipal and county governing bodies, making such policies void and imposing penalties (including fines or loss of office) on officials who vote to adopt them. The bill also requires local employees to comply with federal immigration requests and provides state defense for employees acting in good faith during such cooperation. Key provisions include banning "sanctuary city" policies and establishing legal protections for local officials who follow federal immigration enforcement requests.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibits sanctuary city policies, and penalizes noncompliance, directly opposing policies that limit federal enforcement against immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 330: "Public Charge Transparency Act"; requires State entities which provide government assistance to inquire and record beneficiary's citizenship or immigration status and report cost of government assistance to illegal aliens.

This bill requires New Jersey state and local agencies that provide government assistance (like food, healthcare, housing, or utilities) to ask beneficiaries about their citizenship or immigration status and document it. Agencies must submit monthly, aggregated reports to the Department of Health showing the cost of assistance provided to individuals who cannot prove lawful presence (defined as "illegal aliens" under the bill), with all data made publicly available online. It mandates that applicants provide proof of status to receive aid and prohibits false statements about immigration status, with violations punishable as a fourth-degree crime. The bill directly affects agencies receiving state funding and people applying for state-provided benefits.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires agencies to document immigration status and report costs for 'illegal aliens' accessing services, restricting access to state assistance for undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Sanctuary Policies

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

AR 92: Memorializes the President and Congress to pass and enforce immigration reform to protect the nation.

This is a symbolic resolution (not a bill), introduced by the New Jersey Assembly. It requests Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform focused on border security and removing undocumented immigrants, citing two Ocean County crimes involving undocumented individuals from Mexico. The resolution specifically asks Congress to expedite removals, increase penalties for smuggling and armed offenses, allow military use for border security, and penalize countries refusing to accept deported nationals. It has no legal force and is solely a statement urging federal action; it was introduced to the Assembly committee on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill explicitly requests increased penalties for smuggling/armed offenses related to immigration, expanding criminalization of immigration-related activities.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationResolution explicitly requests expedited removals of undocumented immigrants, increased penalties for smuggling, and military border security, indicating support for stricter enforcement and removal policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Border Security Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 744: "New Jersey Laken Riley Act;" establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.

The New Jersey Laken Riley Act requires law enforcement to check the immigration status of non-citizens arrested for specific serious crimes - including violent offenses, certain traffic violations causing injury, or federal "aggravated felonies." If confirmed as unlawfully present, these individuals face a legal presumption of pretrial detention, overriding the state's bail reform law. The bill mandates compliance with federal immigration detainer requests and repeals a prior law prohibiting local jails from holding immigrants for federal authorities. It also rescinds New Jersey's "Immigrant Trust Directive," aligning state procedures with federal immigration enforcement priorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates pretrial detention for non-citizens charged with certain crimes, overriding bail reform. Restricts defendant rights and weakens criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates immigration status checks for serious crimes, imposes pretrial detention for unlawfully present individuals, and requires compliance with federal detainers, increasing state enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

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

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

A 179: Prohibits release of illegal immigrants from correctional facilities.

This New Jersey bill (A 179) requires correctional facilities to determine if inmates are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the U.S. If an inmate is not a citizen or lacks legal status, the facility cannot release them to the general public - only to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials. Facilities must document citizenship status and legal presence for all inmates, and if they cannot verify it, they must assume the inmate is unlawfully present. Violations carry civil penalties set by the Corrections Commissioner. The bill directly affects correctional facilities and non-citizen inmates deemed unlawfully present in the U.S.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates detention of undocumented immigrants in correctional facilities and transfers to USCIS, increasing state enforcement cooperation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 174: Prohibits State funding to assist immigrants facing detention or deportation.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state funds from being used to provide legal assistance or services to immigrants facing detention or deportation based on their immigration status. It applies to all state contracts, grants, or funding agreements with public agencies or nonprofit organizations offering such legal help. The law takes immediate effect and blocks funding that would otherwise support legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. It directly affects immigrants seeking legal aid in deportation cases and organizations that provide such services using state resources. The bill does not change immigration law but restricts state financial support for related legal services.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits state funding for immigrant legal services, directly restricting budget allocation for this purpose.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill prohibits state funding for legal assistance to immigrants facing deportation, restricting access to legal representation and opposing immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 308: "Illegal Alien Healthcare Transparency Act"; requires health care facilities to inquire and report on immigration status of patients and to report certain costs of care.

This bill requires all licensed health care facilities in New Jersey to ask patients about their immigration status and submit monthly, anonymized reports to the Department of Health on the aggregate costs of care provided to individuals defined as "illegal aliens" (those unable to prove lawful presence). Facilities must not collect personal identifying information, and reports will be posted publicly online. Patients who knowingly provide false immigration status information face a fourth-degree crime penalty. The law directly affects health care providers through reporting duties and patients through potential penalties for misrepresentation.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates healthcare facilities to inquire about immigration status and report costs for 'illegal aliens,' restricting access to services and using enforcement-focused terminology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 312: Establishes "Defend our Educational Resources Act."

This bill requires New Jersey's Governor, with the Commissioner of Education, to take actions protecting the state's educational resources from federal interference. Specifically, it mandates challenging federal policies limiting state authority over education, supporting efforts to challenge the Supreme Court's *Plyler v. Doe* decision (which guarantees public school access to undocumented children), and backing local initiatives preserving educational resources. The law directly affects New Jersey's public education system, state officials, and students, particularly those in immigrant communities. It establishes a state framework for opposing federal education policies but does not change existing school funding or curriculum rules. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects access to public schools for undocumented children and preserves state authority over education resources, aligning with expanding educational access and resource protection.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationChallenges Plyler v. Doe (guaranteeing public school access for undocumented children), directly opposing protections for immigrant students in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Funding DACA & Dreamers Sanctuary Policies

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