TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting immigrants in New Jersey, defending existing policies while signaling potential support for the proposed Immigrant Trust Act.
Speaking about his administration’s approach, Murphy emphasized the use of legal action, executive orders, and public advocacy to counter federal immigration enforcement efforts. “To be aggressive—legal action, using the bully pulpit—mine especially,” Murphy said, adding that New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin has also played a key role in these efforts.
Murphy recalled an instance during Trump’s first term when concerns arose over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting day laborers near his residence.
“I just drove over with my guys… and we just hung out there,” Murphy said. “Nobody ever showed up.”
While Murphy declined to take a definitive stance on the Immigrant Trust Act, which is still under consideration, he described elements of the bill as “very attractive.”
He also pointed to the success of the state’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, implemented by then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Murphy stressed that New Jersey’s approach—separating immigration enforcement from criminal investigations—has been effective and has withstood legal challenges, including rulings from at least one Trump-appointed judge.