New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a law on Wednesday prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that hide their identities during operations. The legislation also mandates that officers present identification before detaining anyone, aiming to increase transparency and safety in the state.
Law Targets Mask Use by Federal Agents During Immigration Raids
The new law addresses concerns over ICE agents concealing their identities while conducting immigration raids within New Jersey communities. Governor Sherrill criticized masked agents as “masked roving militias” and stated the measure is intended to protect residents and reinforce trust between law enforcement and the public.
This legislation forms part of a broader push by Democrats at the state and federal levels to restrict federal immigration agents from using tactics that obscure their identities. Washington state recently enacted a similar law limiting face coverings for ICE agents, though the Department of Homeland Security labeled that effort as “irresponsible, reckless and dangerous” and declared it would not comply with such rules.
Governor Expands Efforts for Community Oversight of ICE Actions
Earlier this year, Sherrill launched a state portal allowing residents to upload photos and videos documenting ICE enforcement actions, emphasizing community monitoring amid reports of agents detaining individuals without clear identification.
Sherrill’s office contends that ICE agents in New Jersey have been opaque about their presence and activities, citing cases where American citizens and even children were detained accidentally. The portal aims to document these encounters to hold enforcement accountable.
This law follows Sherrill’s executive order from the previous month that restricts federal immigration agents from making arrests on certain state properties, including courthouses and correctional facilities, and blocks the use of state property as staging areas for immigration enforcement. The Trump administration is currently suing New Jersey over that order.
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