A federal appeals court struck down a New Jersey sanctuary law designed to prevent cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detaining undocumented immigrants.
According to Breitbart, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that New Jersey's AB 5207 law unconstitutionally interferes with federal immigration enforcement by prohibiting state agencies and private contractors from operating immigrant detention facilities. The decision upholds a previous district court ruling that found the ban violated federal authority.
The controversial law, passed by New Jersey Democrats in 2023, specifically targeted CoreCivic, a private detention contractor, to prevent the renewal of its ICE contract in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The legislation aimed to end all partnerships between state entities, local agencies, and private companies with federal immigration authorities for detention purposes.
Federal Authority Takes Precedence Over State Restrictions
The appeals court emphasized that New Jersey overstepped its boundaries by attempting to dictate how federal immigration functions should be carried out. The ruling stated that the state knew it could not directly bar federal government contracts, so it tried to eliminate all potential contractors within its borders.
The court's majority opinion highlighted that ICE relies heavily on partnerships with state and local agencies, as well as private contractors, to operate detention facilities. This operational model provides ICE with the necessary flexibility to adjust capacity based on fluctuating numbers of deportable individuals.
The decision explicitly noted that the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause protects federal authority from state interference. The court found New Jersey's law directly regulated federal government operations, making it unconstitutional as applied to CoreCivic.
Immigration Reform Advocates Celebrate Ruling
The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), which submitted a supporting brief in the case, praised the court's decision as a significant victory. The organization viewed the ruling as a crucial step in maintaining effective immigration enforcement.
Christopher J. Hajec, representing IRLI, emphasized that New Jersey's attempted ban would have severely impacted immigration law enforcement capabilities. The court's recognition of the law's unconstitutional nature reinforced federal authority over immigration matters.
The decision has broader implications for other states considering similar restrictions on ICE cooperation. Legal experts suggest this ruling could deter other jurisdictions from passing comparable legislation.
Impact on Immigration Enforcement Operations
ICE officials have long maintained that partnerships with private contractors and local agencies are essential for maintaining adequate detention capacity. The agency's operational model depends on these collaborations to manage varying detention needs.
The ruling ensures CoreCivic can continue its ICE contract operations in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This decision maintains current detention capabilities in the region, which immigration officials argue are necessary for effective enforcement.
Local advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the ruling's impact on community relations and immigrant rights. Several organizations have indicated they plan to explore alternative legal strategies.
Federal Immigration Authority Remains Intact
The case, officially titled CoreCivic v. Governor of New Jersey (No. 23-2598), establishes a clear precedent regarding state attempts to restrict federal immigration enforcement capabilities. The Third Circuit's ruling reinforces federal supremacy in immigration matters.
The decision effectively prevents states from indirectly obstructing federal immigration operations through contractor restrictions. Legal analysts suggest this ruling could influence similar cases nationwide where state laws attempt to limit federal immigration enforcement.
The New Jersey Attorney General's office must now determine whether to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, ICE continues its detention operations through existing partnerships with both private and public entities.
