NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — North Plainfield Police Chief Alan F. McKay is reminding the community of its commitment to the Immigrant Trust Directive, a statewide policy designed to build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, according to a statement from the department’s chief.
Originally issued in 2018 by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the directive limits the extent to which state, county, and local law enforcement officers can voluntarily assist federal immigration authorities, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The goal is to ensure that victims and witnesses of crimes feel safe reporting incidents without fear of deportation.
“To build trust, we must draw a clear distinction between state, county, and local law enforcement, who are responsible for enforcing state criminal law, and federal immigration authorities, including ICE, who enforce federal civil immigration law,” the department stated.
The directive prohibits officers from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status unless it is directly relevant to an indictable criminal investigation. It also restricts state and local law enforcement from assisting in federal immigration operations, except in cases where public safety is at risk.
The department is encouraging residents to review the directive and its implications by reading the attached informational document, which outlines the protections and limitations under the policy.