The Feds vs. New Jersey: DOJ Sues Governor Sherrill Over Controversial ‘Sanctuary’ Order
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, The battle over border security has shifted from the Rio Grande to the Garden State. In a major legal escalation, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and Governor Mikie Sherrill.
The core of the dispute? Executive Order No. 12, a state-level policy that federal officials claim directly obstructs immigration enforcement and compromises public safety.
The Legal Conflict: Federal Law vs. Executive Order No. 12
Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced the lawsuit yesterday, marking a significant crackdown on “sanctuary” policies. The DOJ alleges that New Jersey’s new directive prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from performing secure arrests of undocumented individuals within nonpublic state areas—specifically correctional facilities.
“States may not deliberately interfere with our efforts to remove illegal aliens and arrest criminals,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “New Jersey’s sanctuary policies will not stand.”
Why the DOJ is Suing: The Risks of Non-Cooperation
The federal complaint argues that New Jersey is not just “opting out” of federal help, but is actively interfering with federal mandates. According to the DOJ, the refusal to cooperate leads to:
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The Release of High-Risk Offenders: The DOJ claims the policy results in the release of individuals convicted of aggravated assault, burglary, and human trafficking.
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Increased Danger to Law Enforcement: By barring secure transfers within facilities, federal agents are forced to conduct arrests in less controlled, public environments.
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Federal Preemption Issues: Under the U.S. Constitution, federal immigration law typically supersedes state-level directives.
Bondi’s Nationwide Crackdown on Sanctuary Cities
This lawsuit isn’t an isolated incident. Since taking office, AG Bondi has directed the Civil Division to dismantle policies that impede federal immigration operations. New Jersey joins a growing list of jurisdictions facing litigation, including New York, Minnesota, and Los Angeles.
This legal move follows the DOJ’s “Sanctuary Jurisdictions” list published in August 2025, signaling a long-term strategy to enforce federal compliance across the country.
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Tags: #NewJerseyNews #ImmigrationLaw #DOJ #PublicSafety #SanctuaryState #LegalNews #MikieSherrill #PamelaBond
Go DOJ! Go after all these crazed democrats that place illegals over tax paying, law abiding citizens!
Mikie Sherril first order of business was to double down on sanctuary policies keeping illegals in NJ. A policy designed to create strain on the housing market to justify more unnecessary overdevelopment
Second order of business to get rid of the NJ Stay checks and other taxpayer incentives
Thanks Democrats