Federal lawsuit accuses Governor Mikie Sherrill of obstructing immigration enforcement through new executive order
TRENTON, NJ – The Trump administration’s Department of Justice filed a lawsuit this week against Governor Mikie Sherrill and the State of New Jersey, alleging that the state’s new Executive Order No. 12 unlawfully blocks federal immigration agents from performing their duties inside state-run facilities. The lawsuit marks one of the most direct confrontations yet between Washington and a state government over immigration enforcement.
Key Points
- DOJ lawsuit claims New Jersey’s sanctuary policies violate federal immigration law
- Governor Sherrill’s Executive Order No. 12 bars ICE from state properties
- Attorney General Pamela Bondi vows nationwide legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions
DOJ says state order “endangers public safety”
The Justice Department’s complaint argues that New Jersey’s directive “deliberately interferes” with federal efforts to arrest and deport criminal noncitizens. According to Attorney General Pamela Bondi, the policy prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from conducting secure arrests in nonpublic areas of state correctional facilities, allowing offenders to be released who would otherwise face removal from the country.
“Federal agents are risking their lives to keep New Jersey citizens safe,” Bondi said in a statement. “States may not deliberately interfere with our efforts to remove illegal aliens and arrest criminals—New Jersey’s sanctuary policies will not stand.”
New Jersey defends the order as protecting community trust
Governor Sherrill’s Executive Order No. 12 cites the state’s obligation to protect all residents “regardless of immigration status” and to prevent the misuse of state resources for civil immigration enforcement. The order restricts cooperation with federal agents inside sensitive state properties, including correctional institutions and social service offices, arguing that such cooperation could erode trust in law enforcement and discourage residents from seeking essential services.
The directive builds on the state’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, which drew a legal distinction between state criminal law enforcement and federal civil immigration duties. Supporters say it preserves safety by encouraging cooperation between immigrant communities and local police.
Federal-state legal battle escalates nationwide
New Jersey’s inclusion on the Justice Department’s 2025 list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” set the stage for litigation now spreading across the country. The case mirrors similar federal suits filed against states and cities such as New York, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, where local policies restrict cooperation with ICE.
Bondi, appointed by President Trump in early 2025, has made dismantling sanctuary policies a central part of her agenda. The DOJ contends these restrictions lead to the release of individuals convicted of serious crimes—such as aggravated assault, burglary, and human trafficking—who could otherwise face deportation.
The lawsuit filed in federal court seeks to block implementation of Executive Order No. 12, arguing it violates the Supremacy Clause by placing state directives above federal immigration authority. New Jersey officials have not yet announced their legal response, but the case is expected to shape the next phase of the national debate over state resistance to federal immigration enforcement.