AFPI-NJ Condemns New Sanctuary Policies That Undermine Law Enforcement

Trenton, NJ— The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) issued the following statement from Michael J. Donohue, Chair of AFPI New Jersey (AFPI-NJ), in response to Governor Mikie Sherrill signing three Sanctuary Statehood bills into law that benefit criminal illegal aliens while putting law enforcement officers in danger:

“Governor Sherrill and Trenton lawmakers would have you believe they are ‘safeguarding’ the right of immigrants. In reality, these bills make New Jersey less safe, more expensive, and more dangerous for law enforcement and families. These policies restrict cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, create conditions for risk of terror attack, and legalize the doxxing of ICE agents who are already facing extraordinary obstacles as they work to safeguard our communities.

Crime rates are dropping across this great nation in large part because we finally have a president who supports law enforcement. Instead of advancing commonsense law and order policies that are proven to work, New Jersey is moving in the wrong direction. New Jersey taxpayers will bear the financial burden while elected officials in Trenton continue to put radical ideology ahead of public safety, national security, and the rule of law. Domestic criminals and foreign terrorists are the only winners under these new laws.”

• A4071/S3521 codifies the Attorney General’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive into law, permanently restricting cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The legislation broadly prohibits officers from working with federal officials on civil immigration enforcement, limits their ability to inquire about an individual’s immigration status, and in most cases prevents law enforcement from notifying federal authorities about the pending release of an illegal alien.

• A4070/S3522 limits information sharing with federal agents and also regulates the Motor Vehicle Commission's ability to share motorist data.

• SCS for S3114 and 3216/A1743 requires law enforcement to identify themselves during detentions and arrests and limits the use of facemasks by all law enforcement including ICE.