Hoboken + Jersey City Respond to DOJ Sanctuary City Demands

Hoboken and Jersey City are among a group of communities identified by the Trump Administration as cities that have not complied with the Department of Justice’s directives. Over a dozen states and local jurisdictions are defined as sanctuary communities, based on their jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal agencies in the context of immigration enforcement. Per an April 2025 Executive Order, communities that didn’t change their policies to comply with the DOJ’s directives would risk losing federal funding. Both Hoboken and Jersey City have remained committed to their sanctuary city status, despite mounting pressure from federal officials. Read on for more about a timeline of the situation, and where things stand as of August 20th, 2025.

A Timeline

Executive Order 14287, issued in April 2025, directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a list of states and local jurisdictions defined as sanctuary cities. These jurisdictions would be required to change their policies or lose federal funding. At the same time, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released its initial list of sanctuary cities, counties, and states, and published its definition of a sanctuary city. Hoboken and Jersey City were both on the list.

Per the EO, “With respect to sanctuary jurisdictions that are designated under section 2(a) of this order, the head of each executive department or agency (agency), in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and as permitted by law, shall identify appropriate Federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, including grants and contracts, for suspension or termination, as appropriate.”

Jersey City gets sued for being a sanctuary city — I guess MAGA ran out of conspiracy theories for the week. Here is the truth: Jersey City’s policies protect families, reflect our values and have led to record low crime rates. As governor, I won’t be bullied. We’ll fight this —… https://t.co/d22Nhw24JM

— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) May 23, 2025

In May 2025, Hoboken and Jersey City were among four New Jersey cities sued by the DOJ, alleging that these cities and their leadership were unlawfully obstructing federal immigration agents. The other two New Jersey cities were Paterson and Newark. In response to this lawsuit, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop was quoted as saying, “Here is the truth: Jersey City’s policies protect families, reflect our values and have led to record low crime rates.”

Read More: New Jersey State Assembly Passes New Mansion Tax Law: What This Means

On August 5th, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) published a list of jurisdictions that it claims impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws. This same publication contained the DOJ’s definition of what constitutes a sanctuary city. At this time, Hoboken and Jersey City were both on the list.

On August 13th, 2025, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent several mayors and governors, including Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a letter in which she demanded that the communities change their sanctuary policies or lose federal funding.

Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court.

Today @TheJusticeDept delivered demand letters to sanctuary cities, counties, and states — a key step in our strategic effort to eradicate… pic.twitter.com/aKWNCY4hJN

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 14, 2025

On Monday, August 18th, 2025, New Jersey joined 20 other states in suing the DOJ, alleging that the new sanctuary city policies would impact victims in those states from receiving federal funds.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin shared via a statement, “The Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), has declared that States, along with the victims and survivors they serve, will be blocked from these funds unless they comply with the Administration’s political agenda – namely its immigration enforcement priorities. In order to receive these funds, States must assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with civil immigration enforcement efforts – a federal, not state government responsibility.”

Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla responded to the August 13th letter publicly on August 19th, 2025.

“Attorney General Bondi’s threats are an abuse of power and an attempt by the Trump Administration to intimidate us into abandoning our morals and values,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Hoboken is a city built by immigrants, and as the nation witnesses the tearing apart of families and the inhumane treatment of our neighbors, we will not back down from protecting our residents. Immigration enforcement is the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government.  The City of Hoboken will not expend local resources to enforce the federal government’s draconian immigration policies.”

Last week, I received a letter from Attorney General Bondi threatening funding cuts and even criminal charges against me over Hoboken’s sanctuary city policies. First, this letter is a gross violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibits making direct… pic.twitter.com/Esd32iePtd

— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) August 19, 2025

On Tuesday, August 19th, Mayor Bhalla also sent the following information out via a Nixle alert:

“Late last week, I received a formal demand from the U.S. Attorney General directing Hoboken to rescind the immigrant protection policies established under my 2018 executive order, which designated Hoboken a Fair & Welcoming City. This order has stood as a firm declaration of our values: that in our city, no one should live in fear because of where they were born or who their parents are.

As the son of immigrants who came to this country in search of opportunity, I feel this moment not just as your mayor, but as a father, a neighbor, and with the knowledge that we are a community and a nation built by immigrants. I know the fear this letter has sparked, and I want to reassure you clearly and unequivocally: Hoboken will not capitulate. We will not back down.

Our friends, neighbors, families, workers, and business owners of Hoboken deserve to feel safe in their own city. The protections we established are not arbitrary. They were carefully crafted in accordance with lawful Attorney General guidelines and reflect constitutional values. The Hoboken Police Department follows all NJ AG guidelines including the Immigration Trust Directive, just like every municipal police department in the State.

But what we’re witnessing now is not just a policy disagreement. It is part of a broader pattern of intimidation. The same federal government that is threatening Hoboken today has deployed the National Guard in Los Angeles and Washington DC and intervened in cities across the country. Let me be clear, we will not be bullied into abandoning our principles. If anything, this moment calls on us to fortify our protections, not weaken them and that is exactly what we are exploring now.  As I responded in no uncertain terms to the Attorney General today, explaining to her that our municipal employees and police officers are not ICE agents, and they will not be required to participate in unlawful raids and detentions without a federal judge’s signed warrant. This is our legal and moral stance.

Simultaneously, I understand that these are uncertain and frightening times, especially for our immigrant communities, regardless of whether or not you are documented. Please know that you are not alone.

As I stated previously, the Office of Constituent Services is working closely with nonprofits and local agencies to connect residents with support. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Hoboken social workers at [email protected] or call 201-420-2000 Ext. 1314.”

Mayor Fulop and the City of Jersey City shared the following statement with HG:

“This will be addressed in the ongoing litigation where the city will be seeking dismissal of the entire Complaint.  The Trump administration has been filing these lawsuits across the country, and a similar complaint filed against the City of Chicago was just dismissed last month.”

The Hoboken Girl has reached out to Jersey City officials to learn more about the city’s position but have not received an immediate response. We will update this piece when we hear back.

What Does it Mean to Be a Sanctuary City?

There is no textbook definition of what makes a sanctuary city. According to The New York Times, it refers to a jurisdiction’s restrictions on its cooperation with federal officials in the context of immigration enforcement.

A 2017 executive order in Jersey City defined what makes that community a sanctuary city, and a 2018 executive order in Hoboken also defines what makes that community a sanctuary city.

See More: Updates on the Watchung Plaza Construction in Montclair

Per the DOJ’s definition, following Executive Order 14287, sanctuary jurisdiction characteristics include:

1. Public Declarations: Cities, states, or counties that publicly declare themselves a sanctuary jurisdiction or equivalent, with the intent to undermine federal immigration enforcement.
2. Laws, Ordinances, Executive Directives: Cities, states, or counties that have laws, ordinances, regulations, resolutions, policies, or other formalized practices that obstruct or limit local law enforcement cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
3. Restrictions on Information Sharing: Cities, states, or counties that limit whether and how local agencies share information about immigration status of detainees with federal authorities.
4. Funding Restrictions: Cities, states, or counties that prohibit local funds or resources from being used to support federal immigration enforcement efforts.
5. Non-cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement: Cities, states, or counties that provide training to city employees and police on enforcing sanctuary policies and declining to respond to ICE requests for information.
6. Limits on ICE Detainers: Cities, states, or counties that refuse to honor ICE detainer requests unless there is a warrant signed by a judge.
7. Jail Access Restrictions: Cities, states, or counties that restrict ICE agents’ ability to interview detainees absent detainee consent.
8. Immigrant Community Affairs Offices: Cities, states, or counties that create dedicated offices to engage and advise illegal alien communities on evading federal law enforcement officers.
9. Federal Benefit Programs: Cities, states, or counties that circumvent federal laws prohibiting the provision of federal benefits to illegal aliens and provide them with access to benefits, including health care assistance, legal aid, food and housing assistance, and other subsidies. This includes cities, states, or counties that establish stand-alone benefit programs or equivalents.

Local Resources

Hoboken Mayor Bhalla shared the following resources with residents:

The ACLU has a “Know Your Rights – Immigrant Rights” guide, tailored to various scenarios and customizable by state and language.

• New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) is a network of community groups providing immigrant rights advocacy and free/low-cost legal clinics. It also provides know your rights training modules and preparedness seminars including, family emergency preparedness planning, know your rights in private and public spaces, how to ensure guardianship for those with children, as well as other tools and resources. 
• The New Jersey Office of New Americans (ONA) supports new Americans through outreach, education, and resources, including an asylum guide and free legal services for income-eligible residents facing ICE detention and deportation. Visit NewAmericans.nj.gov or call 732-572-9100 ext. 8782 for non-detained immigration matters or 1-888-894-0612 for detention-related inquiries.
• Northeast New Jersey Legal Services (Hudson County Office) provides free legal help with naturalization, family petitions, DACA, and removal defense. They are located at 574 Summit Avenue in Jersey City and can be reached at 201-792-6363.
• Jersey City Division of Immigrant Affairs can provide multilingual help with immigration paperwork and referrals. No status is required. They are located at 394 Central Avenue, Second Floor, in Jersey City. They can be reached at 551-256-2310.
• North Hudson Community Action Corporation can assist with residency, naturalization, and visa applications among others as well as immigration status questions. They are located at 7007 Polk Street in Guttenberg.
• Legal Services of New Jersey provides statewide legal help for low-income New Jerseyans including immigrants for their civil legal problems, including DACA renewals and citizenship. It can be reached at 888-576-5529.
• NJ 2-1-1 Helpline is a 24/7 multilingual service for housing, healthcare, food, and legal referrals. Community members can also dial 2-1-1 or 877-652-1148.
• IACO Immigration & American Citizenship Organization Inc. represents low-income people in their immigration proceedings. They are located at Center City Mall, 301 Main Street, Suite 401, in Paterson and can be reached at [email protected].
  

What’s Next

Given the competing lawsuits and 6PM news headlines, it’s hard to know what’s a realistic possibility and what are talking points.

Some possible outcomes include:

• federal funding cuts, listed in the Executive Order
• ongoing legal battles, as discussed above (it’s worth noting New Jersey currently has 33 pending lawsuits against the Trump administration)
• continued pressure on sanctuary policies
• community mobilization and advocacy efforts
• court decisions that could set a precedent for other sanctuary cities, as multiple cities and states are involved with litigation

Follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Hoboken and Jersey City updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.