Immigration (Sanctuary Policies)

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

A 3168: Requires chief law enforcement officer or Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities when non-citizen applies for firearms purchaser identification card or handgun purchase permit.

This bill requires New Jersey's chief law enforcement officers or the Superintendent of State Police to notify federal immigration authorities whenever a non-citizen applies for a firearms purchaser identification card (for rifles and shotguns) or a handgun purchase permit. It directly affects non-citizens seeking to purchase or possess firearms under New Jersey's permit system. The key mechanism adds a mandatory notification step to the existing background check process, requiring law enforcement to share applicant information with federal immigration agencies. The bill does not alter background check standards but creates a new reporting obligation for non-citizen firearm permit applicants.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities about non-citizen firearm applications, increasing cooperation with federal enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 328: "Unifying Families and Bringing them Home Act"; requires AG to establish program to relocated persons unlawfully in State.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a program that pays for relocating undocumented immigrants (those unlawfully present in the state) and their consenting immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children under 21, or legal ward) to their country of origin or an "authorized settlement country." It prohibits the state from sharing relocation participants' information with federal authorities if their only violation is immigration law, and imposes penalties - including up to 18 months in jail, $10,000 fines, or repayment of relocation costs - for re-entering the state unlawfully after participating. The program aims to reduce state costs associated with services like healthcare and education for this population.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires state-funded relocation of undocumented immigrants to home country, facilitating removal and restricting their presence in NJ.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 1835: Requires AG to repeal law enforcement directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal a 2018 directive (No. 2018-6) that limited local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The directive previously prohibited police from sharing certain information with immigration officials - such as notifying them about detained individuals' release dates or extending detention solely based on immigration requests - when immigration enforcement was the sole purpose. The bill directly affects state, county, and local police departments by removing these restrictions on sharing information with federal immigration authorities. It aims to restore full cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, as specified in the directive's current provisions. The repeal would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill repeals a 2018 directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with immigration authorities, removing a reform that protected civil rights in criminal justice by limiting immigration-focused detentions.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRepeals 2018 directive limiting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, enabling greater sharing of detainee information and extending detention for immigration purposes.95% confidence

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

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SR 58: Directs AG to repeal and amend certain provisions of directive restricting law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

This bill (SR 58) directs New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal and modify a 2018 law enforcement directive that limited local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It specifically removes restrictions preventing state/local law enforcement from sharing immigration status information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while preserving protections for T-Visa (human trafficking victims) and U-Visa (crime victim) certifications. The resolution aims to enable law enforcement to share immigration status details without legal barriers, citing concerns about community safety and coordination with federal agencies. It does not create new laws but directs the Attorney General to update existing policy, with exceptions for victim protection provisions.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRepeals 2018 directive restricting ICE cooperation, enabling local police to share immigration status with ICE - increases state enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 325: "Imprisoning Illegal Aliens Act;" allows State and local entities and private detention facilities to enter into agreements to detain noncitizens.

This bill, formally titled "Imprisoning Illegal Aliens Act" but actually repealing New Jersey's current ban, would allow state/local governments and private detention facilities to enter into agreements for detaining noncitizens under civil immigration law. Currently, New Jersey law prohibits such agreements (for contracts related to housing or detaining noncitizens for immigration violations), but this bill removes that restriction. The key change is replacing "shall not" with "may" for entering these agreements, effective immediately upon passage. It directly affects New Jersey's counties, sheriffs, municipalities, and private detention facilities that previously could not participate in immigration detention contracts.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRepeals NJ's ban on state/local agreements for detaining noncitizens under civil immigration law, enabling increased state enforcement and cooperation with federal immigration detention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 322: "Immigration Enforcement Support Act"; authorizes law enforcement agency to detain and transfer to federal immigration authorities persons illegally in State; provides compensation to law enforcement agency for deportation.

This bill (A 322, "Immigration Enforcement Support Act") allows New Jersey state and local law enforcement agencies to detain individuals they believe are in the U.S. illegally, regardless of any current criminal charges, and transfer them to federal immigration authorities. It directly affects undocumented immigrants in New Jersey and state/local police departments. The key provision requires the state to pay law enforcement agencies $7,000 for each person successfully deported after being detained under this law, with payments allocated proportionally if multiple agencies are involved. Agencies qualify for payment only if they detained the individual specifically for transfer to federal immigration authorities.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationAuthorizes detaining undocumented immigrants for federal transfer and funds enforcement, directly increasing state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 1838: Permits State, local government agencies, and private detention facilities to enter into agreement to detain noncitizens.

Bill A-1838 removes a current prohibition that prevents New Jersey state/local government agencies and private detention facilities from entering agreements to detain noncitizens for civil immigration violations. Currently, such agreements are barred under state law, but this bill would permit them. The key change eliminates the ban on immigration detention agreements, allowing entities to enter, renew, or extend these contracts. This directly affects how New Jersey manages noncitizen detention under state law.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRemoves ban on state/local agreements to detain noncitizens, enabling greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, directly restricting immigrant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 213: Imposes criminal penalties for harboring aliens who have outstanding warrants and are unlawfully present in U.S.

This New Jersey bill (A 213) makes it a crime to knowingly hide undocumented immigrants who have outstanding arrest or immigration warrants. It imposes criminal penalties - up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine - for harboring such individuals, including family members like spouses or parents. The law also criminalizes hindering an immigrant’s deportation when the person knows a warrant exists. It includes an exception: undocumented immigrants who were victims of human trafficking during the time they avoided deportation may use this as a defense. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants with active warrants and anyone providing them shelter.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by penalizing harboring undocumented immigrants with warrants, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform or reducing recidivism.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationImposes criminal penalties for harboring undocumented immigrants with warrants, increasing state-level immigration enforcement against undocumented individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

AR 20: Urges U.S. Congress to remove federal courts' jurisdiction in certain education matters, or alternatively, overturn certain prior case law.

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 20) urges the U.S. Congress to remove federal court jurisdiction over cases where states require undocumented immigrant children to pay school tuition. It also asks the Supreme Court to overturn *Plyler v. Doe* (1981), which established that states cannot deny public education to undocumented children. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests federal action to return education policy authority to states. It directly addresses how states may fund education for undocumented students, referencing the Supreme Court's conflicting rulings on the issue. This is a non-binding request, not a legislative proposal.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationSeeks to overturn *Plyler v. Doe*, which guarantees public education access for undocumented children, thereby restricting educational access for this group.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationSeeks to overturn *Plyler v. Doe*, which protects undocumented children's right to public education, aiming to allow states to require tuition from them.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education DACA & Dreamers Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1524: Requires certification that persons directly or indirectly receiving State monies or privileges are not unauthorized aliens.

This bill requires individuals or employers receiving state benefits (such as contracts, loans, tax breaks, grants, or licenses) to certify that their presence in the U.S. is authorized under federal law. Employers must also certify they made a good-faith effort to verify employees’ work eligibility under federal law. The New Jersey Department of Labor must provide a standardized form for this certification, including a statement that knowingly false claims may result in penalties. The law applies to all state agencies and aims to incorporate the certification into existing application processes, not create a new system. Penalties only apply to "knowingly and willfully" false statements.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires certification of legal status for state benefits, restricting access to services for unauthorized immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies Work Authorization

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