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TRENTON, N.J. (CN) — New Jersey signed into law several restrictions for federal immigration officials, including barring them from wearing masks while on the job.
On Wednesday, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the sweeping law, which also requires immigration officials clearly identify themselves during arrests and further limits how state and local law enforcement collaborate with federal immigration officials.
During a ceremony on Wednesday, Sherrill said that “in the United States of America, we’re not going to tolerate masked, roving militias pretending to be well-trained law enforcement agents.”
Washington state and California have passed similar laws, and Democrats in at least two dozen other states have proposed legislation to ban or limit when law enforcement officials can wear masks. In February, however, a California judge blocked the state’s law, worrying about the potential discrimination because the mask ban didn’t apply to other state law enforcement officials.
Trump officials have said they would not abide by such laws, claiming immigration officers need to wear masks to avoid being doxxed by protestors and to protect themselves and their families from harassment.
“Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers,” Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement.
Under New Jersey’s law, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers can wear masks or disguises when undercover. They can also wear transparent shields and medical-grade masks for health reasons, or during a state of emergency. Those who don’t abide by the law would be charged as a disorderly person.
The law also would prevent state agencies from sharing information on immigration status except in limited circumstances, such as assessing the eligibility for a public program or for professional licensure.
The three-part legislation is the latest salvo in the battle between Sherrill and the Trump administration over immigration.
Last month, Sherrill signed an executive order prohibiting immigration officials from entering state-owned property as a staging area, processing location or base for operations. The Trump administration sued New Jersey over the rule, claiming the order would “obstruct and endanger law enforcement.”
Sherrill also has set up an online portal for New Jerseyans to share photos and videos of interactions with ICE officials.
New Jersey last week sued the Trump administration in federal court over plans to develop an immigration detention facility out of an industrial warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey.
In the 50-page lawsuit filed by New Jersey and Roxbury, they accuse the Trump administration of failing to consult with New Jersey officials or properly vet the site for potential environmental harms.
“The Roxbury Warehouse is a logistics center fit for Amazon Prime packages, not people,” New Jersey says, noting the facility has only four toilets.
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