Erin Lanahan 
Following New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Executive Order restricting federal agents’ access to nonpublic areas of state property, several Hudson County communities have issued similar orders. These measures generally prohibit using public property as a staging/processing base for civil immigration enforcement, while still allowing action required by law or supported by a valid judicial warrant. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, commonly known as ICE agents, have been spotted around Hoboken + Jersey City in the first few weeks of 2026. Elected officials in Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, and North Bergen have all taken similar actions to restrict the use of city-owned property for immigration enforcement activities. Here’s how Hudson County municipalities are limiting the use of public property and resources in civil immigration enforcement.
Hudson County
The Hudson County Executive Craig Guy issued an executive order at the end of January banning ICE and Customs and Border Patrol from conducting enforcement activities on county-owned property, unless required by law or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant. The order also prohibits County employees and contractors from assisting federal agents in civil immigration enforcement activities and sharing information with them.
“As County Executive, I have prioritized protecting Hudson County’s most vulnerable. This Executive Order furthers that commitment by keeping our communities safe from unlawful federal immigration tactics,” County Executive Guy shared in an online statement. “Hudson County is one of the most diverse counties in America and we are proud of that diversity. This order ensures that our residents are safeguarded from harassment and threats.”
On February 13th, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office released updated guidance for how officers interact with federal agents following pushback from the community.
It comes after the Hudson County View reported a tense courtroom interaction during a board of commissioners meeting where Jersey City residents questioned how well officers were enforcing and complying with the Hudson County Executive Order. The board responded by saying they would look into these claims and make the sheriff’s office’s policy regarding interacting with federal immigration enforcement public.
The directive says, “Enforcement shall be without regard to immigration status and will abide with the NJ Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6 V2.0: Directive Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities. Our priority as always is keeping our respective community safe within the confines of the law.”
It goes on to say, “ICE detainers and administrative warrants are civil requests and shall not be treated as judicial orders or warrants. Personnel may collect information required for booking, classification, and state reporting systems, including place of birth and country of citizenship. Such collection does not authorize civil immigration enforcement.”
Hoboken
After Governor Sherrill’s Executive Order was issued, Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour said Hoboken aims to follow suit.
“I commend Governor Mikie Sherrill for taking decisive action to safeguard the safety and Constitutional rights of residents,” said Mayor Emily B. Jabbour in a statement to The Hoboken Girl. “At a moment when fear and uncertainty are weighing heavily on many families, the Governor’s leadership provides some much‑needed clarity, accountability, and reassurance. I have asked legal counsel to explore whether similar measures can be implemented at the municipal level to ensure that City property remains a safe and welcoming space for all members of our community.”
Hoboken was one of the first cities in New Jersey designated as a Fair + Welcoming City. That designation goes to municipalities that adopt policies, commonly known as sanctuary policies, to make sure residents, regardless of immigration status, race, or background, have equal access to services and protections.
Former Mayor Ravi Bhalla made the designation when he signed an executive order on his first day in office in 2018. In August 2025, Mayor Bhalla received a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi that said these policies “thwart federal immigration enforcement to the detriment of the interests of the United States.” The Attorney General threatened potential loss of federal funding and possible criminal charges if local officials obstruct federal investigations.
A month later, the Hoboken City Council adopted the Hoboken Trust Act, an ordinance that codified Hoboken’s commitment to being a Fair and Welcoming City for all residents, regardless of immigration status.
The law made the protections established under the 2018 executive order permanent. It ensures Hoboken won’t use local resources to assist in federal civil immigration enforcement, and it will prohibit bias-based profiling. It also guarantees equal access to municipal services for all community members.
Jersey City
At the end of January, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon signed an executive order prohibiting federal agents from using City-owned property for federal immigration enforcement operations, expanding access to know-your-rights resources and legal support, and providing training and protocols for encounters with federal immigration agents. The Executive Order takes effect immediately.
The executive order issued a ban on the use of City-owned or City-controlled property as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for immigration enforcement. That includes spaces like parking lots, vacant lots, and garages. The City will post clear signage on relevant properties and implement physical access controls where appropriate. The City says the Executive Order is compliant with federal law and does not obstruct lawful immigration enforcement activities.
“City property exists to serve the people of Jersey City, not to facilitate federal operations that undermine community trust,” Mayor Solomon said in a statement online. “We’ve seen what happens when local governments allow their resources to be commandeered for immigration raids. That won’t happen here.”
City employees will also receive training about the legal limits of cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as protocols for responding to ICE requests for access to City property and resources, as part of the Executive Order. Jersey City police will issue formal written guidance governing encounters with federal immigration authorities, including protocols for verifying judicial warrants, documenting interactions, preserving body-worn camera footage, and referring affected residents to City services.
Jersey City is also partnering with immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to conduct outreach and provide legal support services.
Kearny
Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle and the Kearny Town Council passed resolutions banning ICE from doing business on municipal property during a meeting on February 10th.
The Hudson County View reports that the Town Council unanimously passed the resolution “prohibiting the use of Town resources, personnel, and facilities for federal civil immigration enforcement.”
This means ICE agents cannot conduct business within any municipally owned, leased, or operated property, including parking areas. However, federal agents are still allowed to conduct immigration investigations if it is required by law or if agents have a valid judicial warrant.
North Bergen
On February 18th, the North Bergen Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance banning federal immigration agencies from conducting immigration enforcement activities on township property. It reportedly passed unanimously on the first reading and will go into effect once passed on a second reading.
“North Bergen has always been a welcoming community built by generations of immigrants, and we are committed to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of every resident,” Mayor Nick Sacco said in a statement to Hudson County View. “This ordinance reinforces our responsibility to serve all residents while upholding fairness, transparency, and respect throughout our community.”
Once approved on a second reading, the ordinance will ban federal immigration agents from using North Bergen-owned property, like parks, municipal facilities, or parking lots, as staging areas for civil immigration enforcement.
The ordinance also calls for North Bergen to do more community outreach and provide trusted resources. Those resources include Know Your Rights information, educational workshops, and sharing trusted information through North Bergen social media pages, the township website, and the North Bergen Help Desk. It also calls for the Township to identify trusted legal assistance resources for residents and training for North Bergen employees.
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