Trump Targets New Jersey Sanctuary Cities in Bold Immigration Crackdown

The Trump administration has launched a legal offensive against four New Jersey cities—Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Paterson—accusing them of undermining federal immigration laws through their sanctuary city policies. The Justice Department claims these cities are deliberately obstructing efforts to combat illegal immigration, putting communities at risk.

The lawsuit names mayors Ras Baraka (Newark), Ravi Bhalla (Hoboken), Steven Fulop (Jersey City), and Andre Sayegh (Paterson), along with their city councils, as defendants. It argues that their policies are a direct challenge to federal authority, designed to thwart immigration enforcement. Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth stated that these local rules not only hinder federal efforts but also jeopardize the safety of law enforcement and residents.

Tensions flared recently when Newark Mayor Baraka, a gubernatorial candidate, was arrested during a protest at an ICE facility in his city. Though charges against him were dropped, the incident, which also saw Rep. LaMonica McIver charged with assault, has fueled the administration’s case. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called out the mayors for prioritizing political grandstanding over public safety, warning of more lawsuits targeting sanctuary jurisdictions.

Baraka fired back, calling the lawsuit “absurd” and insisting Newark’s policies uphold the Constitution without impeding law enforcement. “We’re not turning our city into an ICE outpost,” he declared, emphasizing that local police shouldn’t double as federal immigration agents. Hoboken’s Bhalla echoed this defiance, vowing to fight the lawsuit to protect his city’s inclusive values. Jersey City’s Fulop, also eyeing the governor’s seat, dismissed the suit as a MAGA-fueled distraction, boasting that his city’s policies have driven crime to historic lows.

This clash reflects a broader battle between the Trump administration and sanctuary cities nationwide. Similar lawsuits have targeted jurisdictions in New York, Colorado, and Illinois, signaling a hardline push to crack down on local resistance to federal immigration enforcement. As the legal fight unfolds, New Jersey’s mayors stand firm, framing their stance as a defense of community values against fear-driven politics.