The White House and Republican leaders are sharply criticizing New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill after the Democrat governor announced plans to create a public portal designed to monitor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and alert residents to the presence of federal agents.
Sherrill, a U.S. Navy veteran who took office just weeks ago, urged residents to record immigration enforcement operations if they encounter them.
Speaking on a recent episode of “The Daily Show,” she said:
“We want documentation, and we are going to make sure we get it.”
“We are going to be standing up a portal so people can upload all their cell videos and alert people,” she added.
“If you see an ICE agent in the street, get your phone out, we want to know.”
White House Rebuke
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson condemned the proposal, arguing it prioritizes monitoring federal officers over addressing illegal immigration.
“If Sherill was as committed to tracking down criminal illegal aliens as she was ICE officers, New Jersey residents would be much safer,” Jackson said.
She further warned that “ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults because of dangerous, untrue smears by elected Democrats.”
“Just the other day, an officer had his finger bitten off by a radical left-wing rioter,” Jackson added.
“ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities, and local officials should work with them, not against them.”
Governor’s Office Defends Plan
Sean Higgins, a spokesperson for Sherrill, framed the initiative as a public-safety measure aimed at countering federal overreach.
“Keeping New Jerseyans safe is Governor Sherrill’s top priority,” Higgins said.
“In the coming days, she and acting Attorney General [Jennifer] Davenport will announce additional actions to protect New Jerseyans from federal overreach.”
During her television appearance, Sherrill referenced the deaths of anti-ICE agitators Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis confrontations involving federal agents.
She falsely accused federal officers of shooting Pretti “execution style,” which she called “unacceptable.”
“They have not been forthcoming,” the governor said of ICE.
“They will pick people up.
“They will not tell us who they are.
“They will not tell us if they’re here legally.
“They won’t check.
“They’ll pick up American citizens.”
Republican Backlash
New Jersey Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio warned the portal could endanger both law enforcement and the public.
“For years now, New Jersey has been moving in the wrong direction and making it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs and easier for criminals to exploit the system,” DiMaio said.
“This portal continues that trend by targeting the people whose job it is to protect our communities.”
“Encouraging people to film and upload law enforcement activity risks escalating tensions and endangering both officers and the public,” he added.
DiMaio also pointed to recent ICE arrests in the state involving individuals convicted of serious crimes.
“ICE has taken real criminals off our streets — offenders convicted of serious crimes against children and violent acts that put innocent lives at risk,” he said.
“At a time when leaders should be lowering the temperature, this piles on.
“It sends a message that enforcing the law is something to be shamed instead of respected.”
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