Holzapfel, McGuckin, and Wolfe Applaud Ocean County Freeholders for Taking Legal Action to Combat Sanctuary State Directive

Freeholders Will Sue State of New Jersey in Federal Court

Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe of the 10th Legislative District applauded the Ocean County Freeholders for taking legal action to combat Governor Murphy’s directive that forces jails in the state to decrease their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

“Governor Murphy’s preoccupation with protecting illegal aliens over lawful citizens is baffling and flat out wrong,” Holzapfel said. “Those who are in our country illegally are cheating our already generous immigration system by bypassing the rules legal immigrants are required to follow. As a former Ocean County prosecutor, I commend the Ocean County Freeholders for standing up and taking legal action to ensure our local law enforcement can work with ICE to deport known criminals who are already in custody.”

According to a recent article by the Asbury Park Press, the Ocean County freeholders intend to sue the State of New Jersey in federal court to defy the Governor’s recent immigration directive.

Effective in March 2019, the so-called “Immigrant Trust Directive” was established to counter the aggressive immigration policies of President Donald Trump. As a result of this instruction, Ocean County jails are required to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to internal networks to match inmates and wanted immigrants sought after by ICE.

“We are a nation of laws, and the Governor cannot pick and choose which laws to follow or not follow based on emotions rather than facts,” McGuckin mentioned. “If you are an illegal immigrant and you commit an additional crime on New Jersey soil, our jails shouldn’t have their hands tied and be forced to look the other way. The Ocean County Freeholders are not only prioritizing public safety over politics, they are ensuring our tax dollars are not wasted on criminals who shouldn’t be here in the first place.”

According to New Jersey Attorney General Attorney Gurbir Grewal, the directive is meant to enhance public safety by building trust with the immigrant community.

“We cannot allow criminals who have no respect for U.S. laws to find sanctuary in New Jersey,” Wolfe added. “Our Attorney General should spend less time hindering local law enforcement from doing their job, and switch his focus to enhancing public safety for New Jersey’s citizens. We stand with the Freeholders of Ocean County, and hope this dangerous directive will be repealed in federal court.”