NEWARK, N.J. – The Trump Administration is escalating its fight against New Jersey’s sanctuary-style immigration policies, arguing that Governor Mikie Sherrill is actively obstructing federal law enforcement with an executive order designed to limit ICE operations on state property.
In a new court filing, New Jersey asked a federal judge to dismiss the Department of Justice lawsuit challenging Executive Order 12, a directive that bars federal immigration agents from using nonpublic state facilities for civil immigration enforcement unless they first obtain a judicial warrant.
The Trump DOJ argues the order is yet another attempt by Democratic state leaders to place illegal immigrants ahead of public safety and federal law.
Sherrill’s administration claims the order is necessary to make immigrants feel “safe” accessing schools, hospitals, shelters, and government services. The filing repeatedly warns that federal immigration enforcement could discourage illegal immigrants and their families from interacting with state agencies.
The state even cited recent ICE enforcement actions and criticized what it described as “militarized” immigration operations in defending the policy.
But the Trump Administration sees the issue very differently: states should not be creating roadblocks for federal officers trying to remove illegal immigrants, especially criminals already in custody or individuals encountered in courthouses and government facilities.
At the heart of the dispute is whether states can refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement while still benefiting from the protections and resources of the federal government.
New Jersey argues the Constitution prevents Washington from “commandeering” state resources for immigration enforcement. The filing insists the state has the right to control access to its own property and direct state employees not to assist ICE operations.
The DOJ, meanwhile, argues that Sherrill’s order undermines federal immigration law by making it harder for ICE agents to operate efficiently in New Jersey. The administration has specifically objected to restrictions involving courthouses, correctional facilities, and the use of state property for operational staging.
Critics of sanctuary-style policies say measures like EO12 do not simply establish “neutral” property rules. Instead, they deliberately create obstacles for immigration officers while signaling political hostility toward immigration enforcement itself.
The case is shaping up as another major showdown in President Donald Trump’s broader effort to crack down on sanctuary jurisdictions across the country.
Since returning to office, Trump officials have made clear they intend to challenge state and local policies that protect illegal immigrants from deportation or interfere with ICE operations. Supporters of the administration argue the federal government cannot effectively enforce immigration law when blue-state governors actively work to frustrate enforcement efforts.
New Jersey is now asking the federal court to toss the lawsuit entirely. The Trump Administration, however, appears determined to force a direct constitutional confrontation over how far sanctuary states can go in resisting federal immigration enforcement in defense of the American people.
