NEW JERSEY (WABC) — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed three pieces of legislation Wednesday passed in response to Trump administration immigration enforcement, including one prohibiting law enforcement from wearing masks in most circumstances.
The bill bars law enforcement officers, including federal officers, from concealing their identities while interacting with the public in an official capacity – while allowing exceptions for undercover work and officers facing threats of retaliation.
The legislation is in response to federal agents wearing face coverings during civil immigration enforcement.
Local and state police rarely, if ever, wear masks during enforcement in New Jersey.
While a federal judge struck down a law in California barring ICE agents from wearing masks, state legislators say this bill applies to all law enforcement officials.
It was passed over loud objections from Republicans, who say the legislation illegally regulates federal officials, a Constitutional violation. But one, state Sen. Jon Bramnick, said law enforcement should not be hiding behind a mask.
Legislators also passed a bill that generally bars government entities and health care facilities from requesting information related to a person’s immigration status, citizenship status, place of birth, and Social Security number.
Another bill codifies the attorney general’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which restricts when state and local police can cooperate with federal civil immigration enforcement.
Former Gov. Phil Murphy pocket-vetoed a similar bill on the last day of his term.
“These bills underscore that here in New Jersey, we still follow the Constitution and uphold the rule of law. My focus as governor remains on keeping the public safe,” Sherrill said. “As we’ve seen across the country, Donald Trump’s untrained, unaccountable, masked ICE agents are putting people in danger. That’s why in New Jersey, we are protecting our communities – strengthening our protections, banning ICE agents from wearing masks, and protecting residents’ privacy from federal overreach.”
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