Immigration (Enforcement) in New Jersey

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 ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Border Security Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 Justice ✗ Immigration

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

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

ACR 106: Strongly condemns decision of President Trump to permit immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals.

New Jersey's ACR 106 is a formal statement condemning President Trump's 2025 decision to end federal protections preventing immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, and shelters. The resolution states this policy reversal - reversing Biden-era guidance that had barred ICE actions in these areas - undermines community trust and deters immigrants from accessing essential services. It does not change laws but sends a formal disapproval to the White House, Homeland Security, and New Jersey's congressional delegation. The resolution reaffirms New Jersey's commitment to equal access to healthcare, education, and community resources for all residents, regardless of immigration status.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 4300: Imposes 50 percent tax on gross receipts from operation of private carceral facilities in State; establishes "Immigrant Protection Fund."

This bill imposes a 50% tax on gross receipts from contracts between private companies and public entities for operating carceral facilities in New Jersey (e.g., private jails or detention centers). It directly affects private businesses running such facilities, requiring them to pay the tax annually based on their prior year’s revenue from these contracts. All tax revenue must be deposited into a new "Immigrant Protection Fund," which the state will use exclusively to fund immigration-related services. The fund is non-lapsing, meaning money stays available for future appropriations without annual renewal.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Revenue Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 & Taxes ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

ACR 71: Urges U.S. President and Congress to enact "Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement Act of 2025."

New Jersey's Assembly Concurrent Resolution 71 (ACR 71) is a resolution urging the U.S. President and Congress to pass the federal "VISIBLE Act" (S.2212), which would require immigration enforcement officers to display visible identification during public enforcement actions. The resolution does not create new law but advocates for a federal requirement that officers show their agency name, last name, or badge number - while prohibiting non-medical face coverings during public enforcement - unless for covert operations or environmental hazards. It also calls for accountability measures, including disciplinary actions for non-compliance and annual reports to Congress and civil rights offices. This resolution directly affects U.S. immigration enforcement officers (e.g., CBP, ICE) and aims to increase transparency amid concerns about impersonation of federal agents.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

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

All immigration bills