New Jersey Governor Limits ICE Operations in Executive Order

Order bans ICE from state property and requires warrants for non-public access

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order on Wednesday that aims to limit the capabilities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the state. The order prohibits ICE from launching operations on any state property and requires the agency to obtain a warrant signed by a judge before entering non-public areas of state property.

Why it matters

The executive order is part of a broader effort by the Sherrill administration to curb ICE's enforcement activities in New Jersey, which has faced criticism for its aggressive tactics. The move is likely to escalate tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration policy.

The details

The executive order bans ICE from launching operations on any state property and prohibits the agency from entering non-public areas of state property without a warrant signed by a judge. The Governor also announced the launch of an online portal for people to submit video footage of any interactions with ICE in their neighborhood. The state could take ICE to court if it is found to have violated the executive order.

  • Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the executive order on Wednesday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Mikie Sherrill

The Democratic Governor of New Jersey who signed the executive order limiting ICE operations in the state.

John Wisniewski

An attorney and former State lawmaker who says the state could take ICE to court if it is found to have violated the executive order.

Ellen Park

A Democratic Assemblywoman who is reintroducing legislation for immigrant protections and praised the Governor's order.

John DiMaio

The Republican Assembly Minority Leader who feels the executive order is short-sighted and is concerned the portal may embolden some people to agitate operations.

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What they’re saying

“We have rules. We have standards in this country to enforce our laws in a just and orderly way. That's not what is happening today. ICE is making everyone less safe.”

— Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey

“ICE, the Department of Justice, will clearly object to, disagree with, whatever this executive order says. It remains to be seen do they try to go to court preemptively to address it or should something occur down the road do they then litigate?”

— John Wisniewski, Attorney and former State lawmaker

“I think it's going to come in very helpful in making our communities feel more safe about ice raids and ice arrests and detentions.”

— Ellen Park, Democratic Assemblywoman

“We need to let [ICE] come in, do their jobs and arrest the bad people, get them out of here, make New Jersey safer and move on.”

— John DiMaio, Republican Assembly Minority Leader

What’s next

The judge in any potential court case between New Jersey and ICE over the executive order will decide whether to allow the order to remain in effect.

The takeaway

This executive order highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with New Jersey taking steps to limit ICE's activities within its borders. The move is likely to face legal challenges, but reflects the Sherrill administration's efforts to protect immigrant communities and promote public safety.