DOJ Sues New Jersey Over Executive Order Blocking Immigration Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey and Gov. Mikie Sherrill, alleging the state is interfering with federal immigration enforcement.
The complaint targets Executive Order No. 12, which the DOJ says limits cooperation between state officials and federal immigration authorities at a time when immigration enforcement remains a national priority.
According to a Justice Department news release published Feb. 24, the federal government argues the order violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by obstructing enforcement of federal immigration laws. The lawsuit was filed in federal court and seeks to block the executive order from being implemented.
The move intensifies an ongoing national dispute over how much authority states have to regulate cooperation with federal immigration agencies. Similar legal fights have emerged in other states in recent years, raising questions about federal preemption and state sovereignty.
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“The United States cannot carry out its immigration responsibilities when states actively obstruct federal law,” the Justice Department said in its release.
The legal battle could have broader implications beyond New Jersey, especially as immigration policy remains central to federal-state tensions. If the DOJ prevails, the ruling could limit how states structure cooperation policies with federal authorities. If New Jersey successfully defends the order, it could reinforce states’ discretion in setting boundaries for local officials.
The case now proceeds to federal court, where a judge will determine whether Executive Order No. 12 can remain in effect while litigation unfolds.
The outcome could shape the next phase of immigration enforcement policy nationwide.
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