Mayor Solomon Signs Expansive Executive Order Protecting Jersey City's Immigrants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Nathaniel Styer | Communications Director
[email protected] | 616-403-4693
Mayor Solomon Signs Expansive Executive Order Protecting Jersey City's Immigrants
Executive Order Expands Training, Restricts Use of City Property for Immigration Enforcement, and Builds Legal Support Infrastructure
JERSEY CITY, NJ (January 23, 2026) – Mayor James Solomon today, at the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal that welcomed millions of immigrants into the United States of America, signed a comprehensive Executive Order strengthening Jersey City's immigrant protections and ensuring immigrant families can live, work, and belong in the city without fear. The Order builds on Jersey City's existing protections by modernizing training protocols, prohibiting the use of City-owned property for federal immigration enforcement operations, and expanding access to know-your-rights resources and legal support.
"Jersey City has always been America's Golden Door. This city is a place built by immigrants, for immigrants," said
Mayor James Solomon. "More than 40% of our residents were born abroad. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, the parents at our kids' schools. When the federal government escalates tactics that terrorize families and undermine trust in local government, we have a responsibility to use every tool we have to protect our people."
The Executive Order operationalizes Mayor Solomon's campaign commitment to defend and expand the city's immigrant communities through three concrete actions:
Citywide Training and Protocols for Encounters with Federal Immigration Authorities
All City employees will receive standardized training on their obligations under Jersey City law, including the legal limits of cooperation with federal immigration authorities and protocols for responding to requests for access to City property or resources. The Jersey City Division of Police will issue formal written guidance governing encounters with federal immigration authorities, including protocols for verifying judicial warrants, documenting interactions, preserving body-worn camera footage, and referring affected residents to City services.
"Our residents need to know that when they call 911, report a crime, or access City services, they're interacting with Jersey City employees, and not federal immigration enforcement,"
Mayor Solomon said. "This training makes that clear."
Prohibition on Use of City Property for Immigration Enforcement
The Order establishes a categorical ban on the use of City-owned or City-controlled property like parking lots, vacant lots, and garages - as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for immigration enforcement. City Departments will post clear signage on relevant properties and implement physical access controls where appropriate.
"City property exists to serve the people of Jersey City, not to facilitate federal operations that undermine community trust," Mayor Solomon said. "We've seen what happens when local governments allow their resources to be commandeered for immigration raids. That won't happen here."
Community Partnerships for Know-Your-Rights Outreach and Legal Support
The City will partner with immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to conduct multilingual know-your-rights outreach and develop legal support infrastructure, including virtual legal clinics, referral pathways to qualified immigration counsel, and protocols for assisting residents whose family members have been detained. The City will explore immigration defense funding models used by other municipalities during prior periods of heightened federal enforcement.
The Executive Order preserves compliance with federal law and does not obstruct lawful immigration enforcement activities conducted independently of City property, personnel, or resources. It does not limit the City's cooperation with criminal judicial warrants.
Mayor Solomon emphasized that the Order reflects Jersey City's values and its practical interest in public safety and effective governance.
"Fear is a tax on all residents,"
said Mayor Solomon. "When immigrant families are afraid to report crimes, access healthcare, or send their kids to school, everyone in this city is less safe. This Executive Order is about protecting our residents and ensuring that Jersey City remains a place where everyone can thrive."
The Executive Order takes effect immediately.
"Jersey City is a proud and diverse community that has been made better by generations of immigrants,”
said Congressman Rob Menendez. "At a time when Trump is deploying ICE agents across the country to intimidate and terrorize our communities, it is more critical than ever for our allies and partners at all levels of government to take every step necessary to protect our residents. We must all work together to keep our residents safe and ensure that our friends, family members, and neighbors are treated with dignity and respect. I thank Mayor Solomon for his leadership and partnership on the critical work of protecting our communities from Trump’s extreme deportation agenda."
“Jersey City was built by immigrants who came here looking for dignity and safety. Trump tried to target us for our sanctuary status, but we are not backing down. We won’t hand over our power to ICE. We will not sell out our neighbors,”
said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver. “That’s why I am proud to fully support Mayor Solomon’s orders to keep Jersey City a sanctuary city. Our government is meant to protect our communities, not terrorize them.”
“Jersey City is taking action to protect our immigrant communities because trust between residents and local government makes all of us safer,” said Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez. “This Executive Order ensures families can access services, engage with their community, and live without fear.”
“These policies protect the rights and safety of Jersey City residents while respecting the rule of law,”
said Assemblyman Jerry Walker. “By setting clear standards for City employees, prohibiting the use of City property for immigration enforcement, and expanding access to legal resources, Jersey City is strengthening transparency and community trust. I will continue to stand with the residents of the 31st Legislative District to ensure all families feel safe accessing City services without fear.”
“Welcome Home is a community-based organization that fosters successful long-term integration of immigrants who have resettled in Jersey City. We know from the lived experience of our friends that integration is not merely a process of survival, but a pursuit of meaning, dignity, and contribution,”
said Dave Mammen, Welcome Home Jersey City. Immigrants are our neighbors and contributors to community life whose successful integration is a shared civic responsibility, but it cannot be achieved without legal safeguards that are the foundation for agency, safety, trust, and participation. We therefore applaud Mayor Solomon’s efforts to protect Jersey City’s immigrant residents through his Executive Order, and we stand ready to assist.”
About Mayor James Solomon | James Solomon was sworn in as the 50th Mayor of Jersey City on January 15, 2026. A cancer survivor, former professor at NJCU, and eight-year City Council member, Mayor Solomon is committed to building a Jersey City government as good as its people—one that delivers the big things and the basics, puts residents before developers, and earns the public's trust through transparency and accountability. He lives in Jersey City with his wife Gaby and their three daughters.