Judge tosses Trump administration's challenge to New Jersey cities' 'sanctuary' policies
The ruling found the federal government lacked standing because the city policies largely mirror New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which was upheld twice.
- On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit challenging policies in Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Paterson that restrict police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
- Padin ruled the federal government lacks standing because local policies mirror New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive, which has guided state police interaction with federal immigration authorities since 2018 and was codified into law this year.
- Finding the case has a "fundamental flaw," the court noted the lawsuit failed to account for the statewide directive that restricts cooperation beyond federal requirements.
- Jersey City Mayor James Solomon applauded the ruling, stating his city will "continue to do everything within our power to protect our neighbors and push back against the Trump Administration."
- The dismissal without prejudice allows the Trump Administration 45 days to file a new complaint, marking the second recent legal setback for the administration regarding so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Biden judge rejects Trump’s sanctuary cities lawsuit, says even a win wouldn’t solve DOJ’s problem
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal judge has tossed the Trump administration’s lawsuit against four New Jersey sanctuary cities, ruling the Justice Department targeted local policies that largely mirror a statewide immigration directive — meaning a court victory wouldn’t eliminate restrictions on ICE cooperation. U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin of the District of New Jersey, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, on Wednes…
Biden judge rejects Trump's sanctuary cities lawsuit, says even a win wouldn't solve DOJ's problem
A federal judge has tossed the Trump administration's lawsuit against four New Jersey sanctuary cities, ruling the Justice Department targeted local policies that largely mirror a statewide immigration directive — meaning a court victory wouldn't eliminate restrictions on ICE cooperation.
Federal judge dismisses DOJ lawsuit over 'sanctuary' policies in 4 NJ cities
Police hold a barricade as protestors push outside Delaney Hall, which is being used as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center, in Newark, New Jersey, on May 30, 2026. The Justice Department sued Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and Hoboken alleging that each cities’ so-called “sanctuary city” policies violated the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Judge Throws Out DOJ Lawsuit Against Four New Jersey Sanctuary Cities, Calling Challenge Legally Deficient
A federal judge has dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit against four New Jersey cities over their sanctuary policies, handing the Department of Justice another setback in its effort to challenge local limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
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