New Jersey’s new Democratic governor blasted “masked roving militias” in signing a law banning immigration agents from wearing masks.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill squared up against President Donald Trump’s administration as she signed three bills on Wednesday to restrict the authority of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in her state.
“I can’t believe we have to say this, but in the United States of America, we’re not going to tolerate masked roving militias pretending, pretending to be well-trained law enforcement agents,” she said at a bill signing ceremony.
Los agentes de ICE bajo Donald Trump, sin capacitación, sin rendir cuentas y con el rostro cubierto, están poniendo en peligro a las personas.
Por eso acabo de firmar un paquete de leyes para mantener seguras a nuestras comunidades, fortaleciendo la confianza entre las fuerzas… pic.twitter.com/obi03WTSZS
— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) March 25, 2026
“It bans any law enforcement officer from hiding their faces, and it requires them to clearly identify themselves before making an arrest,” Sherrill said of one of the new measures.
“Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement, according to CBS News. “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by this unconstitutional ban. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that New Jersey’s sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement.”
“This law from sanctuary politicians in New Jersey is irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous,” the statement continued. “ICE officers wear face coverings for one reason: to protect themselves and their families from real-world threats, including agitators. The danger is not hypothetical. Public databases and online ‘lists’ have been created to expose officers’ identities. Today, our ICE law enforcement officers face a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them.”
The second bill codifies a policy – issued by the state Attorney General – that limits the degree to which state and local law enforcement need to collaborate with federal immigration agents.
The third bill bans any law enforcement officers from hiding their faces – and it…
— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) March 25, 2026
Another one of the new bills signed by the governor, which limits state and local police from cooperating with federal officials, was also denounced by DHS.
“Partnerships with law enforcement are critical to having the resources we need to arrest criminal illegal aliens across the country … When politicians bar local law enforcement from working with DHS, our law enforcement officers have to have a more visible presence so that we can find and apprehend the criminals let out of jails and back into communities,” a spokesperson said.
Sherrill declared she will be happy to take up any challenges by the Trump administration in court.
We know the Trump Administration has challenged some of these measures in the past.
We beat them in court then – and we’re happy to meet them in court again if they decide to sue now.
Nothing is going to stop us from standing up for New Jersey and against Donald Trump’s…
— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) March 25, 2026
“ We know the administration has challenged some of these measures in the past. We beat them in court then, and we’re happy to meet them in court again if they decide to sue now,” she said at the signing event. “Nothing is going to stop us from standing up for New Jersey and against Donald Trump’s overreach.”
Social media users dropped a reality check after the governor’s move.
Everything she says protects illegal criminals NOT American citizens.
— Deann 🐾💜🇺🇲✝️🐤 (@DeannB115) March 25, 2026
We’ve officially become second class citizens in our own state. Thank your local democrat.
— skiii (@Skiii73) March 25, 2026
900k illegals in NJ and the Governor favors them over actual citizens.
— Johnthebuyer (@johnthebuyer) March 25, 2026
You don’t have the authority. Immigration laws & enforcement clearly falls under the federal government. What you signed makes us less safe & will be struck down in court eventually. You are grandstanding, gas lighting and delaying. All on the backs of NJ taxpayers. Scumbag
— BigJimHit (@BigJimHit) March 25, 2026
Governor protecting criminals vilifying law enforcement.
— Michael J (@Never2OldMan) March 26, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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