Immigrant Trust Directive
The Immigrant Trust Directive (Directive No. 2018-6) establishes important protections for New Jersey’s immigrant communities. The directive strengthens trust between law enforcement officers and diverse immigrant communities, ensuring that victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes. It draws a clear distinction between state, county, and municipal law enforcement—who enforce state criminal law—and federal immigration authorities like ICE, who enforce civil immigration law.
The directive also supports U & T Visas for victims of certain crimes and human trafficking, helping vulnerable individuals access legal protections. If you believe an officer has violated the directive, violation reporting options are available.
It’s important to note what’s not changing: Nothing in the directive limits the Mantua Township Police Department’s ability to enforce state criminal law, nor does it suggest that New Jersey provides “sanctuary” to individuals who commit crimes.
New Jersey Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6
When a Mantua Township Police Officer makes an arrest for a violent or serious offense (including any crime of the 1st or 2nd degree or any domestic violence indictable offense), the officer will inquire on the defendant’s citizenship, nationality, and immigration status during the booking process. If there is reasonable belief that the defendant may not be in the United States lawfully, the arresting agency shall notify ICE and any other mandated or appropriate agencies.
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Mantua Township Police Officers Cannot:
- Stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based solely on actual or suspected immigration status
- Ask the immigration status of any individual, unless doing so is necessary to the ongoing investigation of a serious offense and relevant to the offense under investigation
- Participate in ICE’s civil immigration enforcement operations
- Provide ICE with access to state or local law enforcement resources, including equipment, office space, databases, or property
Any person that feels a violation has occurred regarding this directive may file a complaint through the internal affairs process. Anonymous complaints will also be thoroughly investigated. Any person who wishes to file a complaint can do it in person at Mantua Township Police Department, by calling 856-468-1920, emailing MantuaIA@mantuatownship.com, or by completing the Internal Affairs Form and submitting via US mail.
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What This Does Not Change About State Law Enforcement Practices
- Nothing in the Directive restricts officers from complying with the requirements of federal law, including 8 U.S.C. § 1373
- Nothing in the Directive prevents officers from enforcing valid court orders, including search or arrest warrants signed by state or federal judges
- Nothing in the Directive stops officers from assisting federal immigration authorities in response to exigent circumstances
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U and T Visas for Crime Victims
Some immigrant victims of crimes may be able to get special visas called U and/or T visas. These visas protect victims of certain crimes who help law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes.
U and T visas provide the following benefits:
- Temporary status for up to 4 years
- Allow you to apply for employment authorization
- Allow you to apply for temporary status for certain family members
- Allow U/T visa holders and family members to apply for permanent residence (sometimes known as a “green card”)
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