NJ Governor Signs Bills Curbing ICE Cooperation, Officer Masks

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed three bills into law on Wednesday, imposing restrictions on federal immigration enforcement and prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their identities with face coverings. The measures, enacted in Trenton, represent the state's latest effort to limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid heightened immigration activities under President Donald Trump.

The first bill bans all law enforcement personnel, including federal agents from ICE and Border Patrol, from wearing masks or other coverings that obscure their faces while on duty. It requires officers to clearly identify themselves and their agency before making an arrest or detention. Exceptions apply to undercover operations, medical needs, or protective equipment for safety. Sherrill described the law as essential for accountability, stating during the signing ceremony, "In the United States of America, we're not going to tolerate masked roving militias pretending to be well-trained law enforcement agents." The governor emphasized that the policy aims to protect residents and build trust between communities and police.