New Jersey
A high-level overview of immigration enforcement activity, school protection policies, and resources for families and educators in New Jersey.
Overview
State context
New Jersey has enacted strong state-level protections. Attorney General guidelines have limited state and local law enforcement cooperation with civil immigration detainers since 2018. Governor Murphy has consistently supported immigrant-protective policies. Several major school districts have adopted formal protective policies. ICE is active, particularly in northern New Jersey.
ICE activity
ICE is very active in New Jersey, particularly in Hudson, Essex, and Passaic Counties, which have large immigrant communities. Newark, Elizabeth, and Passaic are among the cities with the highest ICE enforcement activity relative to their size in the Northeast.
School policies
Newark Public Schools, Paterson schools, Trenton City Schools, and multiple other districts have adopted policies limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement and requiring judicial warrants for school access. The New Jersey Department of Education has issued supportive guidance.
Notes for advocates
New Jersey has one of the most diverse immigrant populations in the country, including major communities from Latin America, South Asia, East Asia, the Caribbean, and West Africa. Elizabeth, NJ, which has a predominantly immigrant population, has been particularly affected by enforcement operations. The state's strong legal protections and active advocacy community provide some buffer.
Is your district protected?
Find out whether your school district has a warrant-based policy in place, and what you can do if it doesn't.