TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a new executive order Tuesday placing significant restrictions on how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may operate on New Jersey state property, marking one of the most aggressive state-level actions in the region related to federal immigration enforcement.

Under Executive Order No. 12, ICE and other federal immigration authorities are barred from using New Jersey state-owned or state-controlled property to conduct civil immigration enforcement activities unless they possess a judicial warrant or court order signed by a judge.

The order applies to property owned, leased, or operated by executive branch agencies, including state buildings, facilities, and other non-public areas under state control.

What the Executive Order Changes

The directive instructs state agencies not to permit ICE to:

• Enter or access non-public areas of state property for civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant
• Use state property as a staging area, processing site, or operational base for immigration enforcement actions
• Conduct enforcement operations on state property based solely on administrative or agency-issued warrants

The order emphasizes that only judicial warrants, not administrative ICE warrants, satisfy the requirements for access or cooperation.

What the Order Does Not Do

The governor’s office clarified that the executive order does not prohibit:

• ICE presence in public areas of state property open to the general public
• State compliance with valid judicial warrants or court orders
• Enforcement of New Jersey criminal law
• Cooperation required under existing federal or state law

State officials also stressed that the order does not interfere with joint law enforcement activities unrelated to civil immigration enforcement.

New ICE Reporting Portal Announced

Alongside the executive order, the administration announced the launch of a state-run reporting portal allowing residents to submit information regarding interactions with ICE.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the portal is intended to document allegations such as:

• Warrantless searches or arrests
• Excessive force
• Racial profiling
• Improper detention
• Civil rights violations

Residents may submit written accounts, photographs, and video evidence. State officials say submissions will be reviewed for potential civil rights concerns and policy compliance.

Administration’s Rationale

Governor Sherrill framed the executive order as a public safety and constitutional rights measure, arguing that the use of state resources for civil immigration enforcement can undermine community trust in law enforcement.

The administration cited New Jersey’s existing Immigrant Trust Directive and recently enacted state legislation aimed at limiting immigration enforcement in sensitive locations as justification for the policy.

State officials say the goal is to ensure residents can safely access public services without fear of immigration enforcement occurring on state property.

Political Reaction

Immigrant advocacy groups praised the order, calling it a necessary safeguard against unconstitutional enforcement practices and warrantless activity.

Republican lawmakers and critics, however, raised concerns that the policy could escalate tensions, interfere with federal authority, and expose state employees to legal or safety risks. Some critics also questioned whether encouraging residents to record ICE interactions could lead to confrontations.

The debate reflects broader national tensions between state governments and federal immigration authorities as immigration enforcement remains a central political issue heading into the 2026 election cycle.

What Residents Should Know

• The order applies only to state property, not private or municipal locations
• ICE may still operate with a judicial warrant
• Public areas remain accessible under normal conditions
• The reporting portal is voluntary and does not replace emergency services

Sources

Office of the Governor of New Jersey — Executive Order No. 12, February 11, 2026

Office of the Governor of New Jersey — Official press release on ICE restrictions

New Jersey Office of the Attorney General — ICE interaction reporting portal announcement

New Jersey Monitor — Reporting on ICE restrictions and public response

Gothamist — Coverage of New Jersey executive order on ICE operations

ACLU of New Jersey — Statement on Executive Order No. 12

New Jersey Assembly Republican Conference — Response to ICE reporting portal