Governor Mikie Sherrill Takes Action Against ICE

Written by: Asha Gavaghan (‘28)

On February 11th, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 12, preventing ICE raids and operations, creating an ICE report portal, and sharing information for New Jerseyans to know their rights in this country.

Taken by Victor J. Blue for The New York Times

The order is in response to multiple different incidents happening across the country with ICE, including the killings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good, the use of tear gas and pepper spray on non-violent protestors, and the continued racial-profiling of New Jersey citizens, especially children, even when resources are available for proper confirmation. “Given ICE’s willingness to flout the Constitution and violently endanger communities—detaining children, arresting citizens, and even killing several innocent civilians—I will stand up for New Jerseyans’ right to be safe,” Sherrill shared. While this pushback is nothing especially new, as even during May of 2025, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined a protest against the development of a private prison, which is planned to hold immigrants for deportation, it is a major step in New Jersey's immigration policies. 

The ICE report portal, accessible at www.njoag.gov/portal, aims to help the State hold possible misconduct of ICE responsible. Evidence can be submitted as a photo or video, and the page is available in 10 different languages. Furthermore, in order to make sure every New Jerseyan understands their rights when interacting with Federal agents, Governor Sherrill launched the website, "Know Your Rights.” The New Jersey Department of Education released a similar website, focusing on the procedures for school staff to follow when ICE is on school grounds. 

The order has received mixed responses from other state officials. While some, such as Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Human Services Acting Commissioner Stephan Cha, gave Mikie Sherrill praise for taking a stand in the current political climate, others view it as groundless and wrong. The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against New Jersey shortly after the Executive Order was stated. Attorney General Pamela Bondi countered, “States may not deliberately interfere with our efforts to remove illegal aliens and arrest criminals—New Jersey's sanctuary policies will not stand.” The lawsuit states that this order may result in the release of “dangerous criminals,” such as “illegal aliens convicted of aggravated assault, burglary, and drug and human trafficking offenses,” as explained by Fox News.

Photo by Andres Kudacki for The New York Times

But this isn’t the only action Sherrill has taken against ICE to address their recent events. On Wednesday, March 25th, she passed three more laws, one being met with great controversy. The signed legislation prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks while on duty and requires agents to clearly identify themselves before taking someone into custody, similar to another law passed in Washington and California.

Federal officials were quick to respond, and made it clear that in the future, this order will be ignored. Lauren Bis, an ICE overseer and spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, accused the ban of being unconstitutional as state officials have no authority to prosecute federal officers when they are acting in their capacity according to the Supremacy Clause. She also expressed concern, explaining how ICE agents must shield their identity from the recent increase of doxxing and assaults.

Other politicians view the order as a crucial bare minimum. Jay Stanley, a political analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union with a focus in speech and privacy issues told the New York Times, “Wearing uniforms and carrying identification broadcasts discipline and professionalism and at least the promise of adherence to the rule of law.” 

This continues to be a growing, changing topic across the country. Even so, Sherrill’s Executive Order and passed laws, above everything else, solidifies the unique role immigrants place in New Jersey, stating “...as the home of Ellis Island, New Jersey has long welcomed immigrants seeking a better life for themselves and their families, and the immigrant experience is core to New Jersey‘s identity.”