A federal court has dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit challenging New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s executive order restricting federal immigration officers’ access to nonpublic state property, handing the state another legal victory in its ongoing dispute with Washington over immigration enforcement.
The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey dismissed the Department of Justice challenge to Executive Order 12, which limits the use of certain state-owned property and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement.
Sherrill signed the order in February. The policy restricts federal immigration officers, including ICE agents, from using nonpublic areas of state property for civil immigration enforcement unless specific legal requirements are met.
The Trump administration sued New Jersey, arguing that the state was interfering with federal immigration enforcement and making it more difficult for federal authorities to carry out their duties.
New Jersey defended the order as a lawful exercise of state authority over its own property and resources.
Following the court’s decision, Sherrill said the ruling marked another victory for the state.
“Once again, Trump tried to stop us, and once again we won,” Sherrill said in a statement released Friday.
She also defended the policy by arguing that restricting ICE access to nonpublic state facilities helps protect New Jersey communities.
The ACLU of New Jersey and Democracy Defenders Fund had filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of 20 community organizations supporting the executive order. They argued that residents should be able to use state facilities without fear that those locations will become sites for federal civil immigration enforcement.
The ruling is part of a broader legal and political confrontation between New Jersey and the Trump administration over immigration policy.
For now, Sherrill’s restrictions remain in place, and the federal government has not succeeded in overturning the executive order through this lawsuit.
The Justice Department could still pursue additional legal options, including an appeal.
Sources: Office of Governor Mikie Sherrill; U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey; ACLU of New Jersey
By NJ RADAR Team