Alina Habba Launches Federal Investigation Into New Jersey Governor and AG Over Immigration Noncompliance
Keywords: Alina Habba investigation, NJ immigration policy, Phil Murphy ICE defiance, New Jersey obstruction charges, Trump administration immigration enforcement
Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced a federal investigation into Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew Platkin, accusing the Democratic officials of refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Habba, a former Trump legal spokesperson and newly appointed federal prosecutor, revealed the investigation during an appearance on Fox News’ Sean Hannity Show Thursday night.
Allegations of Obstruction
According to Habba, Murphy and Platkin have instructed New Jersey State Police to ignore thousands of active ICE arrest warrants, effectively blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from carrying out its duties.
“I want it to be a warning for everybody,” Habba said on air. “We have opened an investigation into Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin for their refusal to assist our federal law enforcement agencies.”
The announcement follows a report from Shore News Network, alleging that both Murphy and Platkin actively directed law enforcement to stand down, defying federal mandates and triggering what the Trump administration sees as state-level obstruction of justice.
The Immigrant Trust Directive: Legal or Illegal?
Murphy’s office has cited New Jersey’s 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive, a policy designed to foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, as justification for the state’s actions. The directive restricts local cooperation with ICE to ensure that immigrants can report crimes without fear of deportation.
However, Habba dismissed this legal argument:
“That will no longer stand,” she declared. “Our president and Attorney General Pam Bondi have made it clear: we are to enforce federal law and remove violent criminals from this country.”
Habba added that any official obstructing this mandate would face criminal charges, including obstruction of justice and concealment.
Political Fallout and Legal Clash Ahead
This unprecedented move by Habba, a New Jersey native and Trump loyalist, sets the stage for a major legal and political battle between federal prosecutors and state leadership.
While Murphy’s administration argues it is following established state law, Habba maintains that federal supremacy on immigration matters overrides local policies, and any failure to comply could lead to prosecution of state officials.
“This is not political,” Habba said. “It is simply about enforcing the law and protecting the American people.”
The Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to back Habba’s probe, signaling a hardline shift in how the Trump administration plans to handle so-called “sanctuary policies” in blue states.
Conclusion:
With immigration enforcement taking center stage in 2025, New Jersey is now at the heart of a national debate over states’ rights, federal authority, and public safety. As this investigation unfolds, it could redefine the relationship between local governments and federal immigration agencies — and set a precedent for similar cases across the country.
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