The architect of New Jersey’s sanctuary policy for immigrants is asking a federal judge to toss a Trump administration lawsuit that targets Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City and Paterson for their local immigration policies.
Former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, representing Newark and Hoboken in the case, filed a letter to the court on Thursday arguing the suit has no legal standing and violates the 10th Amendment, which bars the federal government from forcing states to carry out national immigration laws.
In the letter, Grewal argues Newark and Hoboken are aligned with a New Jersey 2018 statewide directive that details how and when local police can assist federal immigration agents.
The Trump administration sued the cities in May, claiming the local rules interfere with federal law, but Grewal’s letter points to multiple court rulings — including one from 2020 — that rejected similar claims.
Grewal urged the judge to quickly dismiss the case in the interest of protecting public safety.
