TRENTON, NJ – Former losing New Jersey GOP gubernatorial candidate and NJ 101.5 am radio host Bill Spadea is urging residents not to participate in Governor Mikie Sherrill’s newly launched online portal designed to collect videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, escalating a political clash that began earlier this week.
Spadea, posting on social media, directly addressed the governor’s call for residents to document ICE activity from a safe distance. “Do not follow @MikieSherrill’s reckless and dangerous call to ‘report on ICE activity’. You could end up in prison or worse,” Spadea wrote. “And if they don’t arrest you at the scene you will be leaving possible evidence on the AG’s site if you upload pics and/or video. Don’t be stupid. Let @ICEgov carry out their lawful duty to protect and serve.”
He added in a follow-up comment, “ICE is cracking down on people who follow them in their cars.”
The warning comes days after Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that the attorney general’s office had launched a portal allowing residents to upload videos of interactions involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents operating in New Jersey.
Sherrill previously said, “We are not asking anyone to jump in harm’s way or create an unsafe situation for themselves or for agents. People should record from a safe distance.” She described the portal as a tool to track enforcement patterns and inform potential legal responses by the state.
President Donald J. Trump has not yet commented on the events unfolding in New Jersey.
- Spadea urged residents not to upload ICE-related videos
- Sherrill says recordings should be made from a safe distance
- Portal is operated through the state attorney general’s office
Political battle intensifies over ICE oversight
Spadea, a former Republican candidate for governor and media personality, framed the initiative as legally risky for residents who choose to participate. His comments followed earlier criticism from America First NJ leader Mike Crispi, who also condemned the portal’s launch.
The portal was introduced alongside a multilingual “Know Your Rights” website providing immigration law guidance and legal referrals. State officials said the goal is to document activity and ensure transparency in federal enforcement actions occurring within New Jersey.
Spadea’s remarks referenced potential legal exposure for individuals who film or follow agents, though no state advisory has indicated that residents acting within the law would face prosecution for submitting recordings. Broader national coverage surrounding ICE enforcement has fueled debate over the balance between federal authority and state-level oversight.
The New Jersey Office of Attorney General has not issued additional guidance in response to Spadea’s comments.