TRENTON, N.J. — A sweeping set of immigration bills is moving through the New Jersey Legislature in 2026, expanding legal protections for non-citizens while further limiting how state and local agencies interact with federal immigration enforcement.
The proposals follow the March 25 signing of three immigration-related laws by Gov. Mikie Sherrill, including measures that codify limits on police cooperation with ICE, require law enforcement identification during operations, and restrict how personal data is collected and shared.
10 key immigration bills shaping New Jersey policy
Lawmakers are advancing a coordinated package of legislation that targets enforcement, civil rights, and data privacy. Below is a breakdown of the 10 most significant measures:
- S2771 / A1400 — Immigrant Trust Act
Establishes statewide limits on cooperation with ICE, including detainers and data sharing. - A4446 — Civil Liability for ICE Agents
Allows lawsuits against federal immigration agents for alleged constitutional violations. - S3813 / A4078 — Public Lands Enforcement Ban
Restricts immigration enforcement on certain public lands and government-controlled spaces. - S3864 — Detention Facility Restrictions
Limits use of state resources for immigration detention centers. - S3792 — Law Against Discrimination Expansion
Expands protections for immigrants in employment, housing, and public accommodations. - A4492 — Immigrant Tenant Protection Act
Prevents landlords from using immigration status in eviction or rental disputes. - A4481 — Earned Sick Leave Expansion
Allows workers to use sick leave for immigration-related legal proceedings. - Safe Community Spaces Act (package bill)
Designates schools and hospitals as protected areas limiting enforcement activity. - Immigration Data Privacy Protections (package bill)
Restricts how agencies collect and share immigration-related data. - Codification of Immigrant Trust Directive (package bill)
Converts existing policy limiting ICE cooperation into permanent law.
Expanding a broader immigration policy shift
At the center of the legislative push is the proposed Immigrant Trust Act (S2771/A1400), which would establish a statewide framework restricting compliance with federal immigration detainers and limiting information-sharing between local agencies and ICE.
Additional bills in the package target enforcement locations, legal accountability, and access to services, reflecting a broader effort to formalize “sanctuary-style” policies into statute.
Signed laws reinforce legislative direction
The newly enacted laws provide the foundation for the broader legislative effort. One measure formally codifies the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, making existing limits on cooperation with ICE permanent in statute.
A second law requires law enforcement officers, including federal agents, to identify themselves and generally prohibits the use of masks during enforcement actions. A third restricts the collection and sharing of sensitive personal data, including immigration status and place of birth, by state agencies.
Alongside the legislation, Sherrill issued executive actions barring ICE from accessing non-public state property without a warrant and launching a public portal to report immigration enforcement activity.
Key Points
• New Jersey lawmakers are advancing multiple bills limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
• Three related laws signed in March 2026 already restrict data sharing and require officer identification
• The legislative package expands civil rights, housing protections, and legal accountability
Political divide over enforcement and authority
Republican lawmakers have sharply criticized the legislative package, arguing it could undermine public safety and conflict with federal authority.
Assemblyman Gerald Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) said one proposal represents “a direct attack on law enforcement and will end up putting the lives of men and women agents and officers and their families in danger.”
Other GOP legislators have described the measures as unconstitutional and misaligned with federal immigration enforcement priorities. Assemblyman Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean) called one bill “blatantly unconstitutional” and “feckless” during legislative hearings.
Democratic sponsors, who back the bills, have framed the legislation as necessary to protect civil rights and ensure access to public services regardless of immigration status, according to bill summaries and legislative descriptions.
What comes next
The legislative package reflects a broader trend toward codifying policies that were previously implemented through executive directives, particularly those limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Several proposals, especially those involving potential lawsuits against federal agents, could face legal challenges if enacted, given questions about federal versus state authority.
Related coverage has tracked similar policy shifts in other states, where lawmakers are testing the limits of state-level authority over immigration enforcement.
As of now, multiple bills remain under consideration in the Legislature, while the three signed laws are already in effect, shaping how immigration enforcement is handled across New Jersey.