New Jersey County Passes Law Barring ICE Notification Before Releasing Undocumented Inmates

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on Wednesday criticizing the Essex County Board of County Commissioners for passing the measure, which it says will hinder federal immigration enforcement and put public safety at risk.

Under the new law, county jail officials are barred from alerting ICE about the impending release of undocumented immigrants who have been held on criminal charges. The policy applies to all inmates, including those with prior convictions or pending deportation orders.

DHS officials argued that the restriction prevents ICE agents from taking custody of dangerous individuals before they return to the community, potentially allowing them to reoffend. The statement called the move a 'dangerous step backward' in cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

Supporters of the measure, however, have framed it as a protective measure for immigrant communities, arguing that ICE notifications erode trust and deter undocumented residents from cooperating with local police. The county commissioners have not yet responded to the federal criticism.

The decision places Essex County among a growing number of jurisdictions adopting so-called 'sanctuary' policies, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The move is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in New Jersey.