The United States Department of Justice has announced a lawsuit against New Jersey and its Governor, Mikie Sherrill, challenging an executive order that restricts where federal immigration officials can conduct enforcement actions in the state. This executive order, signed by Sherrill on February 11, prohibits ICE agents from making civil arrests in state-owned properties that are not public unless they have a judicial warrant. It also disallows federal agents from using state property as a base for their immigration operations.

The lawsuit contends that Sherrill's executive order is unconstitutional, obstructs the federal government's ability to enforce U.S. immigration laws, and discriminates against immigration agents. The Trump administration argues that the restrictions impede ICE agents from detaining individuals who are classified as illegal immigrants. This legal battle illustrates the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority over immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in Democratic-led states that seek to limit cooperation with federal agencies.

This case marks a notable clash in the broader context of immigration policy in the U.S., as various states resist federal mandates that they believe contradict their local policies and values. New Jersey's response to federal immigration enforcement mirrors a national trend where several states are adopting more protective measures for immigrants amidst a politically charged atmosphere. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for both state autonomy and federal immigration enforcement policies.