New Jersey Governor Launches Database for Residents to Report ICE Encounters

Mikie Sherrill says state will create portal for people to upload videos of ICE agents in public

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:47pm

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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced plans to create an online portal where residents can report and upload videos of encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Sherrill said the state will also prohibit ICE from operating on state property, citing a lack of transparency from the federal agency.

Why it matters

The move is part of a growing effort by state and local governments to monitor and limit the activities of federal immigration enforcement agencies. Sherrill and other officials have accused ICE of acting like a "secret police force" and making arrests without proper documentation.

The details

Sherrill said the new reporting system will allow residents to upload cellphone videos of ICE agents in public. The governor also said the state will prohibit ICE from using state property for operations. Sherrill accused ICE of failing to share information about the people it arrests, including in some cases detaining American citizens.

  • On January 29, 2026, Sherrill announced the plan during an appearance on 'The Daily Show'.
  • In the coming days, more details about the reporting database will be released in cooperation with the state's acting attorney general.

The players

Mikie Sherrill

The newly elected governor of New Jersey who announced the plan to create a database for residents to report ICE encounters.

Jennifer Davenport

The acting attorney general of New Jersey who will work with Governor Sherrill to release more details about the reporting database.

Letitia James

The New York state attorney general who announced a similar initiative in October 2025 to collect photos and videos of ICE agents.

Larry Krasner

The Philadelphia district attorney who warned he is willing to pursue state charges against ICE agents under certain circumstances.

Bonnie Watson Coleman

A U.S. Representative from New Jersey who said public oversight of ICE remains essential and that "their crimes must be recorded for the day when those who have violated our rights face justice."

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What they’re saying

“We are also going to be standing up a portal so people can upload all their cellphone videos and alert people. If you see an ICE agent in the street, get your phone out. We want to know.”

— Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey

“Keeping New Jerseyans safe is Gov. Sherrill's top priority, and in the coming days she and Acting Attorney General Davenport will announce additional actions to protect New Jerseyans from federal overreach.”

— Governor's Office

“Their crimes must be recorded for the day when those who have violated our rights face justice. It's up to us to serve as witnesses now.”

— Bonnie Watson Coleman, U.S. Representative, New Jersey

What’s next

In the coming days, Governor Sherrill and Acting Attorney General Davenport will announce additional details about the new reporting database for residents to document encounters with ICE agents.

The takeaway

This initiative by the New Jersey government reflects a growing trend of state and local authorities seeking to monitor and limit the activities of federal immigration enforcement agencies like ICE, which have been accused of lacking transparency and overstepping their authority.