New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal unveiled a new directive Thursday that restricts local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration operations, according to NorthJersey.com.
Under the new policy, police in New Jersey can no longer stop, search or detain any individual over immigration status and detain immigrants at the request of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE—except in cases of serious or violent crimes or final deportation orders.
"No law-abiding resident of this great state should live in fear that a routine traffic stop by local police will result in his or her deportation from this country," Grewal said.
Grewel said, however, that the new directive does not make New Jersey a "sanctuary state" for criminals.
"If you break the law in New Jersey we will go after you no matter your immigration status," Grewel said.
Grewal—a former Bergen County Prosecutor—became the nation's first Sikh attorney general when he was confirmed by New Jersey lawmakers in January.
