On Feb. 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the state of New Jersey and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill over New Jersey’s new Executive Order No. 12, claiming that the executive order interferes with the federal government’s enforcement of its immigration laws.  

On Feb. 11, 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 12 to prevent ICE from staging operations on state property. Governor Sherrill signed the order to protect New Jerseyans’ safety and constitutional rights as the Trump administration’s federal agents have acted increasingly outside the scope of the law. The executive order prohibits ICE agents from entering, accessing, or using nonpublic areas of state property for their operations unless authorized by a judicial warrant. Restricted areas would include, for example, residential medical facilities, child care centers, jails, courthouses and government offices.   

The Trump administration argues the executive order is unconstitutional, obstructs the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws, and discriminates against immigration officers.  

Instead of working with us to promote public safety and protect our state’s residents, the Trump Administration is wasting its resources on a pointless legal challenge to Governor Sherrill’s executive order. Under Governor Sherrill’s leadership, New Jersey will continue to ensure the safety of our state’s immigrant communities. We look forward to defending this executive order in court.Attorney General Jennifer Davenport