New Jersey Governor signs three bills restricting state and local officials from aiding federal immigration enforcement, sparking a clash with the Trump administration.

NEW JERSEY: Governor Mikie Sherrill signed three bills on Wednesday aimed at limiting state officials’ participation in federal immigration enforcement.

The signings are the latest moves by New Jersey in opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.

The state filed a lawsuit last week to block a proposed detention centre.

The new laws require law enforcement officers to reveal their identity during certain public interactions.

They must also provide identification before arresting or detaining someone.

The legislation limits the information that local and state entities and health facilities can collect.

This includes restricting the collection of an individual’s immigration status.

“These bills underscore that here in New Jersey, we still follow the Constitution and uphold the rule of law,” Sherrill said in a statement.

The move drew sharp criticism from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis called the laws “despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers”.

She also labelled the legislation an “unconstitutional ban” in a statement.

 The Sun Malaysia