New Jersey restricts ICE raids on state property, launches public reporting portal

New Jersey bans ICE agents from non-public state property without a warrant and opens a portal for residents to upload raid videos, intensifying debate over immigration enforcement and civil-rights oversight.

WEBDESK – MediaBites Editorial 

New Jersey has moved to curb federal immigration enforcement activity inside state spaces, announcing a ban on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from non-public areas of state property and launching a public portal where residents can upload videos of raids.

Governor Mikie Sherrill said the measures are aimed at transparency and accountability amid rising complaints about aggressive enforcement operations in cities such as Jersey City and Hoboken.

What the new order does

Under the executive order:

• ICE agents cannot enter non-public state property without a judicial warrant

• State facilities cannot be used as staging areas for raids

• Residents can upload photos and videos of enforcement activity to a state-run database

• A “Know Your Rights” website has been launched for immigrants and families

State officials say the material will be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office to determine if state laws were violated.

Why New Jersey acted

The administration says the move follows a surge in complaints and viral footage showing masked federal agents conducting operations without clear identification.

Sherrill argued the initiative is not meant to obstruct federal law enforcement but to ensure lawful conduct.

“People should record from a safe distance — accountability builds trust,” she said.

The policy mirrors similar monitoring systems already introduced in New York and California.

Mixed reactions across the state

Civil-rights groups praised the action, calling it a safeguard against potential misconduct and mistaken arrests.

But Republican lawmakers warned the policy could escalate tensions and interfere with legitimate enforcement.

They argue federal agents have arrested individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes, and public filming could endanger officers and bystanders.

Growing debate over ICE raids in New Jersey

The decision highlights a widening national divide over immigration enforcement — with some states increasing cooperation and others limiting federal operational reach.

For now, New Jersey’s approach marks one of the most assertive efforts by a state government to monitor and restrict ICE activity on its own property, setting up potential legal and political battles ahead.