CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. — Cape May County has joined the growing local revolt against New Jersey’s sanctuary-state policies, becoming the third county this summer to formally call on Trenton to reverse course.
The Cape May County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 477-26 on August 25th, following similar actions by Warren and Sussex counties earlier this summer. Municipalities including Toms River (Ocean County) and Middletown Township (Monmouth County) have also adopted resolutions opposing the state’s sanctuary policies in recent weeks.
Cape May’s four-page resolution takes aim at several recently enacted state measures governing cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
Among them are A4071/S3521, restricting certain communications with federal immigration officials; S3114 and S3216/A1743, involving identification requirements for law enforcement officers, including ICE agents; the Privacy Protection Act (A4070/S3522); and the Safe Communities Act (A6308/S5036). The county argues that the measures could impede investigations, complicate interagency cooperation and create additional risks for law enforcement officers.
“Law enforcement works best when agencies can communicate and coordinate without artificial barriers,” added Sheriff Bob Nolan in a statement. “These state restrictions force local officers to operate with one hand tied behind their backs. They complicate our ability to share critical information, protect officer safety in the field, and remove dangerous individuals who pose a clear threat to the public. I’ve said for years that I am not a supporter of sanctuary policies. Our job is to keep Cape May County residents safe by targeting anyone who commits a serious crime. To best protect the public, we must work closely with our federal partners. Until these laws are changed or repealed, our ability to do that job effectively remains limited. I thank the Board of Commissioners for standing with the men and women in law enforcement.”
The resolution also connects the immigration debate to New Jersey’s unfolding voter-registration controversy, citing the discovery of thousands of noncitizens present on state voter rolls and calling for a transparent investigation into how the registrations occurred. Commissioners urged state officials to suspend automatic Motor Vehicle Commission voter registrations, implement a mandatory voter ID requirement and cooperate with federal investigators.
The County is calling on Governor Mikie Sherrill and the Legislature to repeal the targeted laws and directs copies of the measure to state and federal officials as well as every municipal clerk in Cape May County.
With Cape May now joining Warren and Sussex, opposition to Trenton’s sanctuary approach is increasingly moving beyond individual municipalities and onto the county level — particularly in Republican-controlled areas of the state.
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