Commissioners immediately back directive as local leaders say the policy strengthens public safety, limits use of county resources, and protects immigrant communities
JERSEY CITY — Hudson County Executive Craig Guy signed a far-reaching executive order Friday that blocks federal immigration authorities from conducting civil immigration enforcement on county-controlled property and prohibits county workers from assisting those operations, marking one of the strongest local policy actions of its kind in New Jersey this year.
The order, signed January 30, directs that federal agencies — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection — may not carry out civil immigration enforcement activities inside any building, facility, or property that is owned, leased, or operated by Hudson County, unless such activity is required by law or supported by a valid judicial warrant.
Within hours of the order being issued, the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners formally approved a companion resolution supporting the policy, locking in countywide backing for the new restrictions.
County officials say the action is designed to establish clear boundaries between local government operations and federal civil immigration enforcement, while reinforcing trust between residents and public agencies throughout one of the most diverse counties in the state.
Under the new directive, county employees and contractors are also barred from assisting federal immigration authorities with civil enforcement actions. The order further limits the sharing of information with federal immigration agencies unless disclosure is legally mandated.
Guy described the executive order as an extension of the county’s broader commitment to protecting residents who rely on county services, particularly those who may be hesitant to interact with government due to fear of immigration-related consequences.
As county executive, Guy said his administration has focused on protecting residents who are most vulnerable — including by expanding support for nonprofit organizations and strengthening access to essential services. He framed the order as a public safety measure rather than an immigration policy statement.
According to Guy, the intent is to ensure that residents feel safe accessing county buildings, programs, and services without concern that routine government interactions could lead to immigration enforcement actions.
Hudson County is widely recognized as one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse counties in the United States, with large immigrant populations in municipalities such as Jersey City, Union City, West New York, and Bayonne. County officials emphasized that the order reflects the demographic reality of the community and the importance of maintaining open, cooperative relationships between residents and local government agencies.
Guy said the order is designed to protect residents from what he characterized as harassment and intimidation tied to civil immigration enforcement, and to clearly separate county operations from federal activity that is not required under law.
Anthony L. Romano, chairman of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners, praised the rapid action taken by the board to approve a resolution supporting the executive order.
Romano said public trust in local government is essential for community safety, and that policies limiting the role of county personnel in federal civil enforcement can help reassure residents that their local institutions are working on their behalf. He added that transparency and accountability were central motivations behind the board’s decision to formally endorse the executive action.
Commissioner William O’Dea, who represents the county’s Second District, said the directive establishes clear expectations for how county resources may be used, while placing responsibility on county leadership to implement the policy carefully.
O’Dea noted that the county must ensure that the new rules are applied in a way that does not interfere with essential services or disrupt daily operations in county facilities, including courts, social service offices, and administrative buildings.
While the order restricts civil immigration enforcement activity, it does not prevent cooperation with federal authorities in criminal matters or situations where county action is legally required. Officials stressed that the directive is narrowly focused on civil enforcement and does not interfere with public safety partnerships involving criminal investigations.
Legal and policy observers say the Hudson County order aligns with a growing number of municipal and county-level actions across New Jersey aimed at defining the limits of local involvement in federal immigration activity. The order also adds to a wider debate unfolding across the state over how local governments can lawfully structure cooperation with federal agencies while maintaining compliance with state and federal law.
Readers tracking how local and state governments are shaping public policy across New Jersey can follow related developments through Sunset Daily’s ongoing coverage of state and local legislation.
The executive order applies to all county-controlled spaces, including administrative offices, public-facing service buildings, county facilities, and any property leased or operated by the county. County departments are expected to receive guidance on compliance and implementation in the coming days.
County officials say training and internal policy updates will be required to ensure employees understand when cooperation with federal agencies is legally required and when it is prohibited under the new directive.
The move is expected to have its greatest impact on county-run social service programs and community-facing agencies, where leaders say maintaining trust is critical for effective service delivery. Advocates for immigrant communities have long argued that fear of immigration enforcement deters residents from reporting crimes, accessing health services, and seeking assistance during emergencies.
Supporters of the executive order believe the new policy will encourage broader community engagement with county agencies and strengthen public safety by ensuring that residents are not afraid to interact with local government.
Opponents of similar policies in other jurisdictions have argued that restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities may complicate intergovernmental coordination. Hudson County leaders, however, emphasized that the order was crafted to remain consistent with existing legal obligations and judicial requirements.
With the commissioners’ resolution now adopted, the executive order takes immediate effect, positioning Hudson County as one of the most prominent local governments in New Jersey to formally restrict civil immigration enforcement activity on county property.
County officials say they expect the policy to serve as a framework for future discussions about public safety, community trust, and the proper role of local government in matters involving federal immigration enforcement.
