New Jersey has become a focal point of the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement strategy in 2025, as federal authorities ramp up deportation efforts while state and local leaders push back through the courts and policy resistance. The sweeping approach, described by federal officials as a necessary expansion of enforcement, has ignited legal battles, unsettled communities, and reshaped daily life across large parts of the state.
Since the start of the year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has carried out a series of high-profile operations throughout New Jersey. According to figures released by federal agencies, more than 5,000 individuals have been arrested since January, with actions reported in urban centers, workplaces, and even near courthouses. Witnesses and local officials have described agents operating in unmarked vehicles and wearing masks, adding to the sense of fear among residents in affected neighborhoods.
Alongside arrests, detention capacity has expanded rapidly. Delaney Hall in Newark, a facility previously closed, was reopened and has seen its population grow sharply, surpassing 800 detainees by late fall. Federal planners are also exploring the possibility of converting portions of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst into a large-scale detention center, a move that would make it one of the biggest immigrant holding sites on the East Coast. Civil rights advocates and local leaders have raised concerns about oversight, conditions, and the long-term implications of such an expansion.
Equally significant is a noticeable shift in enforcement priorities. While earlier federal messaging emphasized removing individuals convicted of serious crimes, data now suggests that nearly half of those detained in New Jersey have no criminal convictions or pending charges. This change has intensified criticism from state officials, who argue that families and long-term residents are being swept into enforcement actions without regard to public safety considerations.
The legal response has been swift and contentious. In May, the Justice Department filed lawsuits against Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken, challenging their so-called sanctuary policies. Federal attorneys argue that these local rules interfere with immigration enforcement, while city leaders maintain that their policies are lawful and grounded in constitutional principles. The municipalities have pointed to the Tenth Amendment, asserting that the federal government cannot compel local governments to use their resources for civil immigration enforcement, a position that has been echoed in broader debates over immigration legislation.
At the state level, Attorney General Matt Platkin has taken a firm stance against federal pressure. His office has filed multiple lawsuits aimed at defending birthright citizenship and preserving New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Platkin has framed the issue as one of public trust, arguing that fear of deportation undermines community safety by discouraging residents from reporting crimes or seeking help.
The administration has responded with escalating pressure, issuing executive orders that threaten sanctuary jurisdictions with the loss of federal funding and even potential prosecution of local officials. These moves have raised alarms among state lawmakers and policy experts, who warn that the conflict could reshape the balance of power between federal and state governments.
Beyond the courtroom, the impact is being felt across New Jersey’s economy and social fabric. Industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor, particularly restaurants, construction, and childcare services in North Jersey, report staffing shortages and declining business as workers stay home out of fear. School districts have sought guidance from advocacy organizations on how to protect students whose families may be affected, as anxiety has spread through classrooms and parent communities.
The surge in enforcement has also overwhelmed the state’s legal support systems. Immigration attorneys and nonprofit legal aid organizations report unprecedented demand, with waitlists growing longer by the week. Many families are struggling to navigate complex proceedings with limited access to representation, heightening concerns about due process.
Federal Immigration Raids Expand Across New Jersey Workplaces in 2025. Federal immigration enforcement activity intensified across New Jersey in 2025, with a sharp increase in workplace raids and coordinated “surge” operations that have drawn attention from state leaders, labor advocates, and business owners alike. The actions, carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement with support from other federal agencies, signal a broader shift toward high-visibility enforcement strategies that directly affect workers and employers throughout the state.
One of the most closely watched locations has been Ocean Seafood Depot in Newark, which was targeted twice within the same year. The first operation, conducted in January, resulted in multiple workers being taken into custody, though officials did not release a detailed count. The second raid, on November 19, unfolded in full public view as masked and armed federal agents, joined by the FBI, surrounded the Adams Street facility and detained 13 individuals. The operation sent shockwaves through the surrounding community, where residents reported confusion and fear as the scene unfolded.
In October, a large-scale enforcement action took place at an Avenel warehouse known for handling luxury merchandise, including high-end fashion brands. Workers described agents flooding the facility while a helicopter circled overhead and detection dogs were brought in. By the end of the operation, 46 people had been arrested. Employees later said that customs officers, who are typically present at such sites to inspect imported goods, played a role in assisting immigration agents during the arrests.
Similar tactics have been used at import warehouses across New Jersey, where federal authorities have increasingly focused enforcement efforts. The presence of customs officials at these locations has made them strategic targets, allowing immigration agents to quickly pivot from trade inspections to worker enforcement. Business groups have warned that this approach is creating uncertainty in supply chains and contributing to labor shortages in key sectors.
Beyond individual worksites, ICE has also relied on targeted surge operations coordinated through its Newark Enforcement and Removal Operations field office. A notable week-long surge that began in December and extended into early 2025 resulted in the arrest of 33 noncitizens identified by federal officials as posing risks related to public safety or national security. Those taken into custody reportedly included individuals with prior convictions involving serious offenses, such as drug distribution and domestic violence.
New Jersey has also felt the effects of nationwide enforcement efforts. In December, a two-week operation known as Operation Angel’s Honor led to more than 1,000 arrests across the country. While federal agencies did not release a state-by-state breakdown, officials acknowledged that New Jersey fell within the operational footprint, making it likely that arrests occurred within the state’s jurisdiction.
The escalation of workplace and surge operations has renewed debate over immigration policy and enforcement authority in New Jersey. State and local officials continue to scrutinize how these actions intersect with existing laws and municipal policies, particularly those designed to limit cooperation between local governments and federal immigration agencies. These issues remain central to ongoing discussions around immigration legislation and the balance between federal enforcement and community stability.
As enforcement activity continues, advocates say the ripple effects are being felt far beyond the individuals detained, influencing workplaces, families, and entire neighborhoods. With no indication that the pace of operations will slow, New Jersey remains on the front lines of a national conversation over immigration enforcement and its long-term impact on the state. And, as New Jersey continues to challenge federal policy through the courts and public advocacy, the standoff shows no signs of easing. The state’s experience has become a national example of the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, local autonomy, and the human consequences of sweeping policy shifts, issues that remain at the center of ongoing debates over immigration and governance.
