Sherrill bans ICE raids on state land
Seeks to defend rights and keep residents safe
By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order February 11 [2026] banning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers form suing stat4e property to stage and launch immigration raids.
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Sherrill said the order is part of a three-pronged effort to defend the rights on New jersey residents and keep them safe from what she described as the overreach of the administration of President Donald Trump.
..... "Trump has turned law enforcement agencies into militias loyal to him, not our constitution," the governor said. "We see agents hiding behind masks, no insignias, constantly changing license plates, breaking the core principles on what good policing needs to be to keep people safe.
..... Sherrill said that "ICE is making everyone less safe" and said that was why she's taking these steps. Sherrill said her executive order was developed in coordination with the community and law enforcement.
..... The first of Sherrill's actions on ICE was signing an executive order that prohibits the agency's officers from launching into actions from any state property, which means no stagging area for raids can be on state property including parks, roadways or buildings.
..... ICE officers can still make lawful arrest on public state property but can't gather to launch operations, she said.
..... The second step is the official launch of an Online portal throng the state Attorney General's Office where people can upload videos of interactions with ICE throughout the state.
..... Sherrill stressed that her administration is not asking residents to put themselves in harm's way or "cerate an unsafe situation for themselves or for agents" but rather record form a safe distance.
..... The portal would be used to hold federal agents countable and track their actions to help inform the state's response in court.
..... The third step is a know-your-rights website. It's available in 22 languages. There is also information about getting legal representation.
..... "In the end, this is about the constitution. As public servants, we're sworn to defend it,: Sherrill said. "we are going to defend those rights here in New Jersey."
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Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport reiterate what Sherrill said, calling the state's immigrants the "backbone of our economy, our communities and our schools."
..... She noted that when federal agents violate laws, that violate the trust the community puts in law enforcement as a while.
..... "When Washington attacks our constitutional rights, when Washington violates the law, when Washington makes our communities less safe, Governor Sherrill and I will protect and defend the people of New Jersey every single time," she said.
..... Sherrill first mention the idea of an Online portal through which New jersey residents could upload videos of immigration enforcement activity last month [01/2026] during a late-night show appearance.
..... She explained then that people would be able to upload videos to a site run by the state attorney General's Office in an effort to counter the secrecy federal immigration officers have been using.
..... New Jersey isn't the only state taking such steps, New York and California launched their own sites last year. [2025]
..... The comes after ICE agents were involved in an incident in Roxbury Township where a gun was fired on February 10. [2026] There were no injuries, and local police secured the scene.
..... That situation is under investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability in the Attorney General's Office.
..... "We recognize hat mattes of this nature raise concerns within our communities,Public safety remains our top priority,: Davenport said. "As action attorney general for the state of New Jersey, it is my duty to protect the safety the Constitution, I will do everything in my power to fulfill this responsibility."
..... Katie Sobko covers the Statehouse. Email:sobko@northjersey.com