New Jersey Safe Communities Act
As required by statute, the Attorney General has created Safe Communities Act Model Policies to help schools, health care facilities, shelters, social service offices, detention facilities, and places of worship prepare for and respond if federal immigration officers seek to enter nonpublic areas of these locations.
What the Safe Communities Act Does
Enacted in January 2026, New Jersey’s Safe Communities Act (SCA) aims to improve community safety, strengthen public trust in institutions, and safeguard access to essential services. Pursuant to the Act, the Attorney General has created model policies for Pre-K-12 Schools, Shelters, Health Care Facilities, Offices of Social Services, Correctional Facilities, and Places of Worship.
Under the SCA, covered locations must either follow the Attorney General’s model policies or more protective policies. Places of worship are encouraged, but not required, to adopt the applicable policy.
Under the Act, the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) must adopt the Attorney General's model policy for correctional facilities or a policy that provides greater protections. The policy establishes procedures for responding to requests from federal immigration authorities seeking access to nonpublic areas of correctional facilities or information related to individuals in their care.
The Act supports consistent procedures across covered institutions while maintaining compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
Read the Model Policy
Official Site of The State of New Jersey
