Immigration (Enforcement) in New Jersey

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 ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 Justice ✗ Immigration

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

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

A 1363: Requires DHS to take action to raise public awareness of privacy laws that prevent disclosure of health care enrollment information to immigration authorities.

This New Jersey bill (A-1363) requires the Department of Human Services to create a public awareness campaign explaining existing privacy laws that prevent health care enrollment information (from Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare) from being shared with immigration authorities. It directly affects immigrant populations in New Jersey who may avoid health care due to unfounded fears of deportation. The campaign must use linguistically and culturally sensitive materials in English and Spanish, distributed through health facilities, community centers, libraries, and other local organizations, and coordinate with existing Medicaid outreach efforts. The department must also create a dedicated, Spanish-accessible webpage on its website summarizing these privacy protections and linking to relevant federal resources.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Medicaid Enforcement

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 Justice ✓ Immigration

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

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 907: 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 directly affects public agencies and nonprofit organizations that might receive state funding for such legal aid, blocking direct state payments or funds flowing through contracts or grants. The key mechanism bans all state financial support - whether direct or indirect - for legal help related to immigration detention or deportation cases. The bill takes immediate effect and specifically targets funding that would otherwise support services like those proposed in Governor Murphy's FY2025 budget for Legal Services of New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1046: "New Jersey Laken Riley Act"; establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.

New Jersey's S 1046, the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes procedures for law enforcement when arresting undocumented immigrants charged with specific serious crimes. It applies to individuals not citizens, lawful residents, or authorized under certain federal programs (like DACA or asylum) who face charges including first-degree crimes, motor vehicle offenses causing injury, or federal aggravated felonies/crimes of violence. The bill requires officers to verify immigration status via DHS; if confirmed as unlawfully present, officers must comply with federal immigration detainers and prosecutors must seek pretrial detention, overriding state bail reform laws. The bill repeals prior state laws restricting immigration enforcement and ends the "Immigrant Trust Directive" that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

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

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 ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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 Justice ✓ Immigration

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

All immigration bills