By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law March 25 limiting face coverings for law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents such as ICE.
• The law prohibits most face coverings during enforcement actions and requires officers to present identification prior to detaining or arresting someone.
• The legislation is part of a package aimed at protecting privacy, civil rights and strengthening public trust, sponsors said.
• Officials noted a similar law was enacted in Washington state earlier this year.
• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has criticized such measures as unconstitutional and has previously pledged not to comply.
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation March 25 that restricts when law enforcement officers, including federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, can wear face coverings while performing official duties, according to state and national reports.
Under the new law, officers are barred from using most face coverings during routine enforcement actions and must show proper identification before detaining or arresting individuals, officials said.
The measure was part of a broader package of bills the governor described as designed to protect residents’ privacy and rights and to strengthen trust between law enforcement and communities.
Sherrill’s office noted that Washington state recently enacted similar restrictions, and lawmakers in other states have pursued comparable legislation during the current legislative session.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security previously criticized comparable state laws as unconstitutional and has indicated it would not abide by them, and the Trump administration is already challenging a separate New Jersey executive order in court.