1. United States
2. N.J.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge state and local leaders to consider policies that would remove or significantly limit the presence and operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New Jersey. While immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, states retain authority over how their resources, facilities, and personnel are used. Recent data and policy developments suggest there are strong public-interest arguments for reducing ICE’s footprint in the state. First, ICE enforcement activity in New Jersey has expanded significantly in recent years. Reports indicate that more than 3,000 people were arrested by ICE in New Jersey during the early months of the current federal administration, placing the state among the highest in the nation for enforcement activity. Additionally, data analyses suggest that a substantial portion of those arrested nationally — and regionally — have no criminal convictions, raising questions about whether enforcement is being narrowly targeted at public safety threats. Second, increased enforcement activity has coincided with higher detention levels in New Jersey facilities. For example, detention populations have reached multi-year highs, and some facilities have reported dramatic increases in the number of people held while awaiting immigration proceedings. This level of detention activity raises humanitarian, legal, and fiscal concerns for communities and state systems. Third, community and civil-rights concerns have grown alongside enforcement expansion. Recent reporting shows New Jersey leadership taking steps to restrict ICE access to state property without judicial warrants and to increase oversight of enforcement activity. Civil-rights organizations have supported these measures, arguing that aggressive enforcement can create fear, reduce cooperation with local law enforcement, and undermine community stability. Finally, courts have affirmed that while the federal government may enforce immigration law, it cannot force states to use their own resources to assist. This means New Jersey has legal authority to limit cooperation, restrict facility use, and reduce ICE operational integration within state systems. For these reasons, New Jersey should continue pursuing policies that remove ICE agents from state-controlled spaces, limit cooperation with federal enforcement, and prioritize community safety and constitutional protections.