New Jersey’s acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba is launching an investigation into Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement by instructing state police not to cooperate with ICE.
Habba, a former personal lawyer for Donald Trump known for her fierce defense of the President, announced her decision during an appearance with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
She has targeted Murphy (D) and Platkin (D) over an order instructing New Jersey State Police to ignore newly filed warrants for illegal immigrants, something she notes is a threat to public safety.
“I am unfortunately going to announce on your show tonight, Sean, and I want it to be a warning for everybody that I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Governor Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin, who has also instructed the state police not to assist any of our federal … agencies that are under my direction,” Habba stated.
The order in question advises state police not to contact ICE—not even via phone—if they see a legitimate warrant for deportation. This is contrary to federal immigration enforcement laws.
Law enforcement that receives a notification of an “Outstanding Administrative Warrant” has been warned that they “are NOT permitted to contact ICE via the phone numbers provided.”