Jersey City declared itself a Welcoming City in 2017 by executive order and ordinance, barring routine police cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement and prohibiting use of city resources to enforce ICE detainers without a judicial warrant.
Jersey City's 2017 Welcoming City Ordinance and accompanying mayoral executive order direct the Jersey City Police Department, public-safety agencies, and city departments not to inquire about immigration status when delivering services or making routine arrests. Officers may not honor administrative ICE detainers without a judicial warrant or recognized criminal exception. The policy aligns with the New Jersey Attorney General Immigrant Trust Directive of 2018, which sets a statewide floor preventing local law enforcement from acting as immigration agents. Jersey City Public Schools and library staff likewise may not collect immigration data.
City employees who improperly share immigration status, detain a resident solely on an ICE administrative request, or condition a permit on citizenship can face discipline, civil-rights litigation, and Attorney General review.
See how Jersey City's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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