Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Wicked Blue

(8,871 posts)
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 12:09 PM Feb 20

ICE agents could be banned from getting public jobs in N.J. for life under new plan

By Jelani Gibson | NJ.com

New Jersey lawmakers introduced a bill this week that could bar some U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel from ever holding public jobs in the state.

The measures are part of a broader legislative package put together by lawmakers unhappy about recent ICE operations near the Hoboken–Jersey City border.

The legislative package includes:

A bill, A4302, that would disqualify ICE agents and officers who served between Sept. 1, 2025, and Jan. 20, 2029, from getting a public job in New Jersey in the future. They would be banned from becoming state or local government employees, including law enforcement officers and public school teachers.
A bill, A4300, that would impose a 50% tax on the gross receipts of private detention facilities operating under government contracts. The money would be directed to a new Immigrant Protection Fund.
A bill, A4301, that would make it a criminal offense for anyone — including federal ICE officers — to block state, county or municipal law enforcement from accessing crime scenes or evidence.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/02/ice-agents-could-be-banned-from-getting-public-jobs-in-nj-for-life-under-new-plan.html
(paywall)

30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
ICE agents could be banned from getting public jobs in N.J. for life under new plan (Original Post) Wicked Blue Feb 20 OP
Good for NJ! SheltieLover Feb 20 #1
Get thee to the greatest page malaise Feb 20 #2
Good... LuckyCharms Feb 20 #3
Excellent move! Nt Fiendish Thingy Feb 20 #4
Good Wild blueberry Feb 20 #5
Go Jersey Traildogbob Feb 20 #6
that 50% tax is sheer genius! NJCher Feb 20 #7
Not quite locking em up and B.See Feb 20 #8
That sounds like an amazing start quakerboy Feb 20 #9
Very creative. Unusual times demand unusual solutions! I like it. Though KPN Feb 20 #10
I'm afraid your're right mountain grammy Feb 20 #22
Good! Fuck the Fox News MAGA Taliban terrorist scumbags! Initech Feb 20 #11
You could've squeezed in a few other descriptors Dr. T Feb 20 #20
Oh that's the nicest thing I can say about them! Initech Feb 20 #21
Every other state and territories of the United States should do the same thing! Jmb 4 Harris-Walz Feb 20 #12
Sounds nice, but a violation of rights. malthaussen Feb 20 #13
Let 'em sue Wicked Blue Feb 20 #15
I disagree. malthaussen Feb 20 #17
ICE agents aren't a protected class. W_HAMILTON Feb 20 #16
Of course not. malthaussen Feb 20 #18
It is an initial step that shows our society and culture are NOT okay with the fascist actions taken by ICE agents. W_HAMILTON Feb 20 #25
I agree. Prosecute those who commit crimes, especially the leaders most responsible. Martin Eden Feb 21 #28
ICE is bad enough, popsdenver Feb 20 #14
The punishment suits the crime. Martin68 Feb 20 #19
This! Our legislature is in session with a Democratic super majority mountain grammy Feb 20 #23
The need for a commission to bring them to justice Johnny2X2X Feb 20 #24
How will they identify them? bucolic_frolic Feb 20 #26
Good. Let them know they will have to pay for their crimes. travelingthrulife Feb 20 #27
Good. F*cking. Good. Joinfortmill Feb 21 #29
I am far more in favor of prosecution and incarceration... EarthFirst Feb 21 #30

Traildogbob

(13,024 posts)
6. Go Jersey
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 01:39 PM
Feb 20

The home of Jo Jo, Springsteen and John BonJovy.
All woke warriors. Starting to love that place.

NJCher

(43,182 posts)
7. that 50% tax is sheer genius!
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:04 PM
Feb 20

A4300.

Other states should do it and end this stupid concentration camp trajectory.

KPN

(17,379 posts)
10. Very creative. Unusual times demand unusual solutions! I like it. Though
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:25 PM
Feb 20

I do expect the fat ass will challenge this in the courts if it passes. And I don't have much hope that this Supreme Court would be overly concerned about State's rights in this particular case. Their decision making is all about who's ox is being gored and nothing to do with "rights".

Nevertheless, I hope every blue state in the country looks hard at following New Jersey's lead -- soon rather than waiting out the court battles beforehand. We need to fucking send strong messages, and rattle the right's feathers and bones every chance we get! If it isn't already, it should be our priority.

Dr. T

(648 posts)
20. You could've squeezed in a few other descriptors
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:06 PM
Feb 20

like "radical", "extremist" and "lunatic".

malthaussen

(18,575 posts)
13. Sounds nice, but a violation of rights.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:53 PM
Feb 20

Any law which singles out a class of people for special action on the basis of prior associations is unlikely to hold up in any reasonable court.

I note that even in states where there are laws banning convicted felons from voting or holding certain offices, they are being challenged and often overturned. And that is for people already found guilty of committing a crime. And of course, there is no such Federal law.

-- Mal

malthaussen

(18,575 posts)
17. I disagree.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:00 PM
Feb 20

Such a law is vindictive in nature, and furthermore is based on guilt by association. However emotionally satisfying it might be, it is a bad bill.

-- Mal

malthaussen

(18,575 posts)
18. Of course not.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:02 PM
Feb 20

They aren't even a recognized class. Such a bill must inevitably make them one, and then they would be an unprotected class petitioning for relief. What, exactly, does that buy our society or our culture?

-- Mal

W_HAMILTON

(10,338 posts)
25. It is an initial step that shows our society and culture are NOT okay with the fascist actions taken by ICE agents.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:30 PM
Feb 20

Martin Eden

(15,636 posts)
28. I agree. Prosecute those who commit crimes, especially the leaders most responsible.
Sat Feb 21, 2026, 07:57 AM
Feb 21

This kind of broad-brush punishment should not stand up in court.

And let's remember, something like this can cut both ways when Trumpublicans are in power.

popsdenver

(2,317 posts)
14. ICE is bad enough,
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:53 PM
Feb 20

but the Republican's are developing an entire GESTAPO like group of STORM TROOPERS called the BORDER PATRO
as their private Militia, outside of all laws and regulations.......

mountain grammy

(29,038 posts)
23. This! Our legislature is in session with a Democratic super majority
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:15 PM
Feb 20

"A bill, A4300, that would impose a 50% tax on the gross receipts of private detention facilities operating under government contracts. The money would be directed to a new Immigrant Protection Fund.
A bill, A4301, that would make it a criminal offense for anyone — including federal ICE officers — to block state, county or municipal law enforcement from accessing crime scenes or evidence."

I will be sending this to my legislators.. Unconstitutional??? these fucking dentention centers are violating the Constitution every single day!!

Johnny2X2X

(24,217 posts)
24. The need for a commission to bring them to justice
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:21 PM
Feb 20

ICE has committed thousands or tens of thousands of crimes with no accountability. Every single instance needs to be investigated and prosecuted.

ICE agents who broke car windows without warrants or cause need to be charged with destruction of property.
ICE agents who pepper sprayed protesters need to be charged with felonious assault with a weapon.
ICE agents who took or broke phones need to be charged.
ICE agents who shoved or struck protesters need to be charged.
ICE agents who kidnapped anyone without a court warrant need to be charged.

All of them must face justice, no matter how long it takes.

bucolic_frolic

(55,180 posts)
26. How will they identify them?
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:40 PM
Feb 20

With all the masks they could be of foreign origin anyway. No way to find out.

EarthFirst

(4,156 posts)
30. I am far more in favor of prosecution and incarceration...
Sat Feb 21, 2026, 09:39 AM
Feb 21

Use the gears of justice to confine these individuals from ever being able to assimilate back into society.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»ICE agents could be banne...