Governor Announces “ICE Tracking Portal” — State Becomes Informant Network

New Jersey’s governor just launched a state-run surveillance system targeting federal law enforcement agents doing their jobs—and she wants every resident with a smartphone to become an informant.

Story Snapshot

Governor Mikie Sherrill announced an online portal urging New Jersey residents to film and upload videos of ICE agents during operations
The state-led initiative mirrors similar portals in New York and California, escalating Democratic resistance to federal immigration enforcement
Sherrill compared ICE to “secret police,” claiming agents detain U.S. citizens and children without proper documentation
The portal aims to review footage for potential legal violations, with details on implementation forthcoming from state officials

When State Government Declares War on Federal Law Enforcement

Governor Mikie Sherrill made her announcement on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, an unusual venue for what amounts to a coordinated state effort to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Her message was clear: “If you see an ICE agent in the street, get your phone out, we want to know.” The portal will collect videos and images from residents, which state officials will review for alleged violations. Sherrill’s spokesperson Sean Higgins emphasized the initiative centers on “keeping New Jerseyans safe,” though the safety concern appears directed at federal agents rather than criminal illegal aliens.

OUTRAGE: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill Announces “ICE Tracking Portal” — Urges Public to Film and Report Federal Agents https://t.co/Raob3Dz6lI #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit

— Fearless45 (@Fearless45Trump) January 30, 2026

Following the Blue State Playbook

New Jersey isn’t pioneering this approach. New York Attorney General Letitia James launched a similar portal in October, followed by California in December. These state-led surveillance systems distinguish themselves from grassroots immigrant alert networks by offering official government channels to document federal operations. The escalation reflects a calculated strategy among Democratic governors to create bureaucratic and legal obstacles for ICE enforcement. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano quickly applauded Sherrill’s announcement, tying it to her pending legislation that would prohibit ICE agents from concealing their identities during operations.

The Transparency Trap

Sherrill framed her portal as promoting accountability, claiming ICE operates like “secret police” who detain people without disclosure. She cited incidents involving alleged detention of U.S. citizens and even a five-year-old child, though these claims lack independent verification in available reporting. The irony runs thick: a state government building a surveillance apparatus to monitor federal agents while claiming to champion transparency. ICE operates under established legal frameworks with oversight mechanisms, conducting targeted enforcement against individuals with deportation orders or criminal histories. Sherrill’s characterization ignores this reality, painting routine law enforcement as authoritarian overreach.

What This Really Means for Communities

The portal’s immediate effect will likely complicate ICE operations in New Jersey, potentially allowing targets of enforcement actions to evade arrest. Long-term implications extend beyond immigration policy. This initiative normalizes state-level interference with federal law enforcement, setting precedent that could apply to other federal agencies. The political calculation appears obvious: shore up support among immigrant communities and progressive voters while signaling resistance to the Trump administration’s enforcement priorities. Quijano suggested the portal would reduce fear in communities, but one might ask whose fear matters—law-abiding residents concerned about criminal aliens, or those prioritizing protection of illegal immigrants regardless of legal status?

The Constitutional Collision Course

Federal immigration enforcement represents a constitutional power explicitly granted to the national government, not states. Sherrill’s portal doesn’t directly prohibit ICE operations, but it creates mechanisms for harassment and potential interference. Acting Attorney General Davenport plans to announce additional measures alongside the governor, suggesting New Jersey intends to expand its confrontation with federal authority. The state’s legislative agenda includes bills restricting investments in immigration surveillance firms and mandating ICE agent identification, further complicating cooperation. This approach treats federal immigration enforcement as the threat, inverting the relationship between state and federal responsibilities that has existed since the nation’s founding.