Cape May County Opposes NJ Sanctuary Laws

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — Cape May County commissioners have formally opposed a group of New Jersey laws and executive actions they said restrict cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

The Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted the resolution at its Aug. 25 meeting.

According to the county, the resolution targets the codification of the Immigrant Trust Directive, the Privacy Protection Act, the Safe Communities Act, the Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act and related executive actions. The board said those measures limit information-sharing, restrict identification practices and add requirements for officers interacting with the public.

“These laws create uncertainty for the men and women who protect our communities every day,” said Cape May County Commissioner Director Leonard C. Desiderio. “When communication, coordination, and information-sharing with federal partners are restricted, we put both public safety and the safety of our first responders at risk. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility under the Constitution. State policies that obstruct legitimate cooperation invite costly litigation, undermine consistent enforcement, and ultimately give sanctuary to those who threaten our communities. Cape May County stands with our law enforcement officers and with the rule of law. We urge the Governor and the Legislature to repeal these measures promptly and to take decisive action to safeguard the integrity of our elections.”

Cape May County Sheriff Robert A. Nolan supported the board’s action. According to the county, Nolan has advocated voluntary cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

“Law enforcement works best when agencies can communicate and coordinate without artificial barriers,” Sheriff Nolan said. “These state restrictions force local officers to operate with one hand tied behind their backs. They complicate our ability to share critical information, protect officer safety in the field, and remove dangerous individuals who pose a clear threat to the public. I’ve said for years that I am not a supporter of sanctuary policies. Our job is to keep Cape May County residents safe by targeting anyone who commits a serious crime. To best protect the public, we must work closely with our federal partners. Until these laws are changed or repealed, our ability to do that job effectively remains limited. I thank the Board of Commissioners for standing with the men and women in law enforcement.”

The board cited several developments it said show the consequences of the state’s approach, including federal lawsuits filed against New Jersey since March 2026 and unrest outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark. The resolution also points to the injury of an ICE officer during an enforcement action in Ocean County earlier this year.

The resolution also calls for a transparent investigation into voter-registration problems, suspension of automatic Motor Vehicle Commission registrations until safeguards are strengthened, a mandatory voter ID requirement, full cooperation with federal authorities and public reporting of remedial measures.

“Public safety is not a partisan issue,” Commissioner Bobby Barr added. “The residents of Cape May County expect their government to prioritize the safety of law-abiding citizens and the officers who serve them. We will continue to advocate for policies that uphold the Constitution, protect our communities, and restore confidence in the integrity of our elections.”