New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed a package of bills today aimed at strengthening protections for immigrant communities, increasing transparency among law enforcement officers and limiting the collection of certain personal data by state entities.

Flanked by members of the Legislature, which passed the bills earlier this week, Sherrill said the measures reinforce constitutional protections while addressing concerns about federal immigration enforcement practices.

“These bills underscore that here in New Jersey, we still follow the Constitution and uphold the rule of law,” Sherrill said. “My focus as governor remains on keeping the public safe.”

The legislation comes amid ongoing tensions between state officials and federal immigration authorities, particularly over the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sherrill criticized what she described as “untrained, unaccountable, masked” agents operating in communities, arguing the new laws are intended to prevent abuses and protect residents.

One of the measures, known as the “Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act,” requires federal agents to show their faces during most public interactions and provide clear identification before making arrests or detentions. The law includes exceptions for undercover work, medical needs, hazardous conditions and other limited circumstances.

Another bill codifies a 2018 directive from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General aimed at strengthening trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. The directive limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities in certain situations.

A third measure, dubbed the “Privacy Protection Act,” restricts government agencies and health care providers from collecting or sharing sensitive personal information — such as immigration status, place of birth and Social Security numbers — unless it is necessary to administer a public program or service. The law also requires that any such information be kept confidential, with limited exceptions.

Supporters say the changes will help ensure that residents are not deterred from seeking medical care, reporting crimes or accessing public services out of fear that their personal information could be shared with federal authorities.

The bill package builds on other actions taken by Sherrill since taking office in January. Last month, she signed an executive order barring immigration agents from accessing nonpublic areas of state property without a judicial warrant and launched an online portal for residents to report interactions with federal agents.

The state has also joined legal efforts to block a proposed immigration detention facility, reflecting a broader push by New Jersey officials to challenge federal enforcement policies they say threaten public safety and strain local resources.

Republican critics have argued that such measures could hinder cooperation with federal authorities, though supporters counter that the laws are necessary to protect civil liberties and maintain trust between communities and law enforcement.