The New Jersey GOP released the following today:

This week, Governor Phil Murphy doubled down on his Administration’s decision to direct local elected officials to impede federal immigration officials in their sworn duty to enforce federal immigration laws. Murphy’s Attorney General issued a strongly worded warning to two county Sheriffs, just weeks after a similarly stern-worded missive sought to prevent Sussex County voters from expressing their views on the State’s immigration and Sanctuary policies.

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following response:

“Phil Murphy continues to pursue his reckless political agenda, this time by weaponizing the Attorney General’s office and targeting New Jersey’s elected Sheriffs. Rather than encourage those Sheriffs to work with federal agents to enforce and respect federal immigration laws, the Murphy Administration continues to impose restrictions designed to hinder them.

“The Administration’s recent attack on the State’s Sheriffs begs the question of how far an appointed Attorney General can legally go in directing or limiting the authority of a duly elected, constitutional officer. In New Jersey, County Clerks, Surrogates and Sheriff’s are officials whose offices and duties are created, not by statute, but by State Constitution.

“The NJGOP will not sit on its hands as Governor Murphy scoffs at federal immigration laws for the sake of his personal political agenda. We encourage every municipality and county to pass a resolution declaring that they will never be a sanctuary state. The NJGOP will provide local elected officials whatever tools we have to assert their right to govern locally.”