Democrat running for NJ governor calls for ban on ICE agents wearing masks
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), who is running for governor of New Jersey, said she would ban ICE agents from wearing masks during enforcement operations if she is elected
New Jersey's Democratic nominee for governor, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, announced her intention to ban federal immigration agents from concealing their faces with masks during enforcement operations - if she wins the upcoming election.
Sherrill, a former federal prosecutor and U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, is one of the Democratic hopefuls who wants to take over for Gov. Phil Murphy, whose second term ends after next year's election.
Speaking in Newark Monday after an unrelated event, Sherrill said her plan would mirror one proposed to Congress. "I heard from one police officer who said that somebody came into his town and, as he put it, was looking like he was dressed for Afghanistan and refused to identify himself," she shared, repeating a story she's often told on the campaign trail.
"So that's unacceptable. We need to know who is on our streets here in New Jersey." Sherrill added that if necessary, she'd be ready to "fight it out in court."
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, labeled attempts to ban masked federal law enforcement as a threat to officers. She asserted that federal law enforcement officers have experienced a 1,000% increase in assaults against them and have been targeted online through doxing.
"To be crystal clear: we will not abide by a state's unconstitutional ban," McLaughlin said about Sherrill's proposal.
Sherrill's previous remarks criticizing ICE agents wearing masks came as she was questioned about supporting the Immigrant Trust Directive, a statewide mandate that limits cooperation between local, county, and state police with ICE agents. She hasn't indicated whether she would maintain the directive if elected to replace Murphy.
In late August, an ICE operation in New Jersey led to widespread detentions. Scores of immigrant workers were apprehended at a New Jersey warehouse in late August 2025, during a federal operation as part of Donald Trump's immigration enforcement campaign.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrived at the Edison, New Jersey, facility at 9 am that morning, the New York Times reported. Workers were escorted away with zip-tie restraints, employees informed the Times, while individuals deemed to possess legal U.S. status received yellow wristbands.
Footage captured by New Labor, a New Jersey-based labor and immigration advocacy group, revealed CBP vehicles on location, alongside unmarked SUVs. New Labor reported that ICE agents were also present during the operation.
David Rubin, a school board attorney whose firm represents approximately 100 school districts, stated that he is unaware of any students who have been detained by ICE at school. However, he did mention to NJ Spotlight News that ICE had detained at least one parent while they were returning home after dropping their child off at school.