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New JerseyA4071221st Legislature (2026-2027)House

Codifies AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

Sponsored By: Gordon M. Johnson (Democratic), Raj Mukherji (Democratic), Ellen J. Park (Democratic), Annette Quijano (Democratic), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (Democratic), Gabriel Rodriguez (Democratic), Britnee N. Timberlake (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Local officers lose delegated immigration powers

New Jersey law enforcement authorities cannot make, change, renew, or extend Section 287(g) agreements that delegate federal immigration powers. They also cannot exercise those powers under an existing agreement. This separates State and local policing from this form of federal immigration enforcement.

More court safeguards for noncitizen defendants

At the first court appearance, prosecutors must confirm defendants received warnings about immigration consequences and possible consular notification rights. Prosecutors must review each case before seeking pretrial detention and cannot assume noncitizens are flight risks. Juries cannot hear immigration-status evidence unrelated to the charged crime or a witness’s credibility. For relevant, admissible evidence, prosecutors must first raise it outside the jury’s presence and request instructions limiting its use. Prosecutors must consider consequences beyond criminal penalties, including immigration effects, when resolving cases. These safeguards do not guarantee release, a particular charge or sentence, or a specific case outcome.

More protection against biased police actions

Beginning March 25, 2026, New Jersey officers cannot stop, question, arrest, search, or detain someone solely over immigration status or suspected civil immigration violations. Officers may ask about status when necessary and relevant to investigating an indictable crime by that person. Officers also cannot use race or ethnicity to infer crime or decide how to treat people, except in specific suspect or investigation alerts. The status-based limits have exceptions, including agencies acting under existing federal civil-detention service agreements.

More safeguards for detained immigrants

New Jersey agencies generally cannot join federal civil immigration operations or provide nonpublic identifying information, equipment, or facilities solely for that purpose. Immigration interviews require written consent explaining the purpose, the right to decline, and the option to have a lawyer present. Agencies generally cannot give release notice or extend detention solely for civil immigration enforcement. Exceptions cover specified violent or serious offenses, certain indictable convictions within five years, or a qualifying removal order signed by a federal judge and lodged with the jail or prison. A civil detainer alone cannot extend custody past 11:59 p.m. on the day the person otherwise qualifies for release. Other exceptions include valid judicial warrants, court orders, and emergencies; detention under existing federal civil-detention service agreements remains exempt. Agencies must promptly give detainees written notice of immigration interview, release-notice, or detention requests in a language they understand. They must also provide copies of related immigration documents.

Clearer visa certification for immigrant victims

New Jersey law enforcement agencies must have procedures to process T- and U-visa certification requests within 120 days. T-visa reviews assess severe trafficking and cooperation with investigation or prosecution requests. U-visa reviews assess qualifying crimes and whether victims have helped, help now, or are likely to help investigators or prosecutors. Agencies must post procedures online, using the municipality’s website when feasible if they lack one, and publish accessibility guidance. Agencies may ask necessary questions but cannot disclose applicants’ immigration status without permission unless law or legal process requires disclosure. Certification procedures do not grant a visa or guarantee certification.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Gordon M. Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Raj Mukherji

    Democratic • Senate

  • Ellen J. Park

    Democratic • House

  • Annette Quijano

    Democratic • House

  • Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Gabriel Rodriguez

    Democratic • House

  • Britnee N. Timberlake

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Rosaura Bagolie

    Democratic • House

  • Ravi S. Bhalla

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Brennan

    Democratic • House

  • Linda S. Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joseph P. Cryan

    Democratic • Senate

  • Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Roy Freiman

    Democratic • House

  • Linda R. Greenstein

    Democratic • Senate

  • Shama A. Haider

    Democratic • House

  • Vincent M. Kearney

    Democratic • House

  • John F. McKeon

    Democratic • Senate

  • Angela V. McKnight

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eliana Pintor Marin

    Democratic • House

  • William B. Sampson IV

    Democratic • House

  • Gary S. Schaer

    Democratic • House

  • Balvir Singh

    Democratic • House

  • Brian P. Stack

    Democratic • Senate

  • Anthony S. Verrelli

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Wainstein

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Zwicker

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 98

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

RECONSIDER

Yes: 22 • No: 13

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 22 • No: 13

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 22 • No: 13

House vote • 3/23/2026

MOTION TAB MOTION

Yes: 44 • No: 20 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/23/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 50 • No: 21

House vote • 3/23/2026

MOTION TAB MOTION

Yes: 45 • No: 18

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor: APP

    3/25/2026Governor

  2. Approved by Governor — P.L.2026, c.5.

    3/25/2026Governor

  3. Passed Senate, PBH — (22-13)

    3/23/2026Senate

  4. Substituted for S3521

    3/23/2026Senate

  5. RCON/V — (Johnson) (22-13)

    3/23/2026Senate

  6. Passed Senate — (22-13)

    3/23/2026Senate

  7. MOTION — To Table Sa (Ruiz) (21-15)

    3/23/2026Senate

  8. MOTION — To Sa (Testa)

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Substituted for S3521

    3/23/2026Senate

  10. Received in Senate, SWR, 2nd Reading in Senate

    3/23/2026Senate

  11. Passed Assembly — (50-21-0)

    3/23/2026House

  12. MOTION — To Table (44-20-1) (Greenwald)

    3/23/2026House

  13. MOTION — To Aa (Kanitra)

    3/23/2026House

  14. MOTION — To Table (45-18-0) (Greenwald)

    3/23/2026House

  15. MOTION — To As (Myhre)

    3/23/2026House

  16. Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    2/12/2026House

  17. Introduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

  • Version PL2026

    9/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2026

    8/13/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    3/24/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Substitute (2/12/26)

    2/13/2026

    HTMLPDF

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