New Jersey Plans Public Reporting System for ICE Activity as Governor Pushes Transparency
New Jersey’s newly sworn-in governor, Mikie Sherrill, has announced plans to launch a state-run online system that would allow residents to submit videos and reports of encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marking a significant move toward public oversight of federal immigration enforcement within the state.
The announcement came during the governor’s appearance on a national television program, where she said the state wants residents to document ICE activity when they see agents operating in public spaces. According to Sherrill, the goal is to ensure transparency and accountability by collecting firsthand evidence directly from the public. She emphasized that residents should record what they observe and submit the footage through the upcoming state portal once it becomes available.
Sherrill, a Democrat who took office earlier this month, said her administration is also working to prevent ICE from conducting operations on state-owned property. While some local governments in New Jersey, including Jersey City, have already taken similar steps at the municipal level, the governor’s plan would expand that stance statewide.
The governor expressed concern over what she described as a lack of communication from ICE regarding its operations. She said the federal agency often does not share information with state officials about who is being detained or why. According to Sherrill, this lack of transparency has raised serious concerns, particularly when arrests involve vulnerable individuals or, in some cases, American citizens.
During her remarks, the governor cited incidents in which ICE allegedly detained individuals without clearly identifying themselves or explaining the reasons for arrest. She said these situations underline the need for proper documentation and public awareness, adding that the state has a responsibility to protect residents from what she described as federal overreach.
Following the announcement, the governor’s office confirmed that more details about the reporting system would be released in the coming days. The portal is being developed in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General and the state’s acting attorney general, Jennifer Davenport. State officials said all submissions would be reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office to determine whether any state laws may have been violated.
The administration stated that public safety remains the governor’s top priority and that these actions are intended to protect New Jersey residents while staying within the boundaries of state authority. Officials stressed that the reporting system is not meant to interfere with federal law enforcement but to ensure that any activity taking place in New Jersey complies with legal standards.
New Jersey’s move follows similar efforts in neighboring states. In New York, state officials previously launched a program to collect images and videos of ICE operations after a widely publicized enforcement action in an immigrant community. Other states have also signaled resistance to federal immigration practices, with some local prosecutors warning that ICE agents could face state-level charges under specific circumstances.
In addition, members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation have announced legal observer training sessions to educate the public on how to lawfully document immigration enforcement activities. Lawmakers supporting these efforts argue that public oversight plays a critical role in protecting civil rights.
U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman said that documenting ICE activity is essential to ensure accountability. She stated that recording such encounters could serve as evidence if rights violations are later reviewed by the courts.
ICE officials did not immediately comment on the governor’s remarks or the proposed reporting system.
As New Jersey prepares to roll out the new portal, the plan is expected to spark debate over the balance between federal authority and state oversight. For now, state leaders say the focus remains on transparency, legal accountability, and safeguarding the rights of New Jersey residents.
Sources
Office of the Governor of New Jersey
New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. House of Representatives (New Jersey Delegation)
