New Jersey Legislature Seeks to Ban Sanctuary City Policies
TRENTON, NJ – New legislation has been introduced in the New Jersey Legislature aiming to prohibit municipalities from enacting sanctuary city ordinances and mandate state and local officials’ cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Sponsored by Assembly members from districts across Morris, Sussex, Warren, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, Assembly Bill No. 159 is poised to establish significant changes in how local jurisdictions interact with federal immigration authorities.
The bill outlines that governing bodies within New Jersey’s municipalities or counties cannot adopt any ordinance or resolution designed to prevent cooperation with federal immigration requests. Additionally, any existing policies to this effect would be rendered void upon the bill’s enactment. Officials found in violation of this directive face misdemeanors, potential fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of office.
This legislative move is framed as a response to jurisdictions, both within New Jersey and in other states like California, that have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The sponsors of the bill argue that such policies can contribute to public safety concerns, citing incidents such as the high-profile murder of Kate Steinle in San Francisco, a city known for its sanctuary policies.
Assembly Bill No. 159 not only seeks to reinforce cooperation with federal immigration enforcement but also introduces penalties for non-compliance, including ethics violations for state or local officials. The bill is currently pending technical review and further discussion in the 221st Legislative Session.