On April 29, 2026, the Trump administration sued the state of New Jersey alleging its law banning law enforcement officers, including federal immigration officers, from wearing face masks is unconstitutional. The lawsuit says New Jersey does not have the authority to regulate federal agents and claims that the New Jersey law threatens the safety of federal officers.  Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the New Jersey Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act into law in March 2026 along with two other measures that codify a state policy limiting local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities and limiting state and health facilities’ sharing of individuals’ immigration statuses.  These bills were designed to protect New Jerseyans and foster stronger relationships between law enforcement and immigrant communities. The bills outline clear standards to increase transparency and accountability for law enforcement during operations, protect personal privacy, and ensure that all residents can access vital public and health care services without fear of deportation.  When signing the bills, Governor Sherrill said “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. 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.” 

The New Jersey Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act protects both law enforcement and the public by limiting the use of masking while including careful exceptions to protect law enforcement safety and operational needs. To this day, the Federal Government still cannot explain when its officials need to mask or forgo identification in violation of this law, or why they actually need to do so, particularly given the serious safety concerns inherent in anonymized policing. New Jersey responded thoughtfully and carefully to these profound public safety concerns, and we look forward to responding in court. The Federal Government’s contrary approach will only undermine public trust and accountability, and make it easier for criminals to impersonate our officers.