This bill seeks to codify the Attorney General Directive aimed at enhancing trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities in New Jersey. It establishes a clear separation between state and federal law enforcement duties, explicitly stating that state, county, and municipal police are prohibited from engaging in federal civil immigration enforcement. The legislation bans racially-influenced policing and restricts law enforcement from stopping, questioning, or detaining individuals solely based on their citizenship or immigration status, except in specific investigative circumstances. Additionally, it prohibits law enforcement agencies from assisting federal immigration authorities in enforcing civil immigration laws and bars them from entering into agreements that would allow them to exercise federal immigration authority under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Moreover, the bill mandates law enforcement agencies to create procedures for processing T-visa and U-visa certifications for victims of crime or human trafficking, ensuring these procedures are accessible and transparent. It requires law enforcement to inform detained individuals when federal immigration authorities request interviews or information about their release. The bill also outlines specific responsibilities for prosecutors during initial court appearances, including advising defendants of potential immigration consequences and conducting individualized assessments regarding pretrial detention. It emphasizes the need for training law enforcement officers on these provisions and mandates public education efforts by county prosecutors to strengthen community trust.