NJ Towns Named In Controversial Federal Immigration Crackdown

The Trump administration on Thursday identified 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” nationwide, including several in New Jersey, claiming they are impeding immigration enforcement and blocking deportation efforts.

The Department of Homeland Security this week announced that each jurisdiction would receive official notice of their noncompliance designation, with potential federal criminal statute violations under review.

Sanctuary jurisdictions are localities that refuse to collaborate with federal immigration enforcement activities.

“Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril,” the DHS said.

“Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

In New Jersey, 18 towns and three counties were listed. They are:

1. Burlington
2. Cumberland
3. Warren
4. Asbury Park
5. Bloomfield
6. Camden
7. East Orange
8. Hoboken
9. Jersey City
10. Leonia
11. Linden
12. Maplewood
13. Montclair Township
14. Newark
15. North Bergen
16. Paterson
17. Plainfield
18. Prospect Park
19. South Orange
20. Trenton
21. Union City

The department compiled the list using several criteria, including whether cities or localities self-identified as sanctuary jurisdictions, their level of existing cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement, any restrictions they maintained on information sharing with immigration authorities, and the presence of legal protections for undocumented residents.

“These sanctuary city politicians are endangering Americans and our law enforcement in order to protect violent criminal illegal aliens,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a media release.

“We are exposing these sanctuary politicians who harbor criminal illegal aliens and defy federal law. President Trump and I will always put the safety of the American people first. Sanctuary politicians are on notice: comply with federal law.”

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