Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over “Sanctuary” Policies in Four Essex County Cities

Published: Saturday, July 4, 2026

by Michela DiLorenzo

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – A lawsuit filed by the U.S Department of Justice that attempted to challenge "sanctuary" policies in four Essex County cities was dismissed by a federal judge last Wednesday.

The Justice Department sued Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, and Paterson last year over their “sanctuary” policies. The policies were approved ordinances that limit local police from aiding the U.S Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration agents, except for what is required under federal law.

U.S District Judge Evelyn Padin dismissed the lawsuit last week, saying the Trump Administration referenced no harm or “concrete injury” caused by these policies. In her dismissal, Padin referenced New Jersey’s Immigration Trust Directive, which is similar to the sanctuary policies in Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, and Paterson and has been defended in court multiple times.

With immigration policy a priority for these cities as ICE presence increases in their streets, New Jersey Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla said Padin’s decision is crucial in allowing these cities to continue to have freedom over how their resources are delegated. “They saw right through the Trump administration’s attempt to politicize the Justice Department,” Bhalla said. “Cities and states have every right to decide how their own resources are used, and that includes making sure our tax dollars aren’t spent separating families and deporting our neighbors.”

Reflecting Bhalla’s sentiment, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the decision reflects Newark’s commitment to community, and will help the city continue to support immigrants and their families. “In Newark, no one is a stranger,” he said. “And no one can legislate that. Not yesterday. Not today. Not tomorrow.”

 

For more information reach out to Michela DiLorenzo at michela.dilorenzo@student.shu.edu 

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