President Donald Trump's prosecutor Alina Habba sets her sights on investigating potential federal law violations in the Garden State.

According to Fox News, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for New Jersey announced a probe into Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin over allegations they instructed state police to disregard immigration warrants recently added to the National Crime Information Center.

The investigation stems from an internal memo by New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan, which reportedly revealed Murphy and Platkin's directive to officers regarding thousands of immigration warrants.

This move appears to align with the state's 2018 "Immigration Trust Directive," implemented by former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, which restricted voluntary cooperation between state law enforcement and federal authorities on immigration matters.

State Leadership Faces Federal Scrutiny

Habba's investigation targets specific guidelines posted on Governor Murphy's website that allegedly direct law enforcement to avoid cooperation with federal authorities on administrative warrants for undocumented immigrants.

The probe aims to determine whether these instructions constitute obstruction or concealment under federal law. Murphy's previous public statements have shown defiance toward federal immigration enforcement, including a recent claim about housing a migrant above his garage.

The U.S. Attorney's office has already initiated meetings with state law enforcement officials to clarify their legal obligations and authorities regarding immigration matters. During these discussions, Habba emphasized that while state officers may not have the same authority as federal agents, they maintain the legal right to notify and coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Local law enforcement agencies across New Jersey now face increased federal oversight as Habba promises to investigate any attempts to circumvent federal immigration laws. This development creates tension between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement priorities.

Municipal Impact and Political Response

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, who recently declared his city the American "capital of Palestine," finds his administration under particular scrutiny from the federal prosecutor's office. The city's large Muslim and Arabic population has influenced local politics and immigration policies.

Governor Murphy's bold stance against federal immigration enforcement became evident when he publicly challenged federal authorities regarding a migrant residing at his property. His February statement about housing someone "whose immigration status is not yet at the point that they are trying to get it to" drew attention to the growing conflict between state and federal authorities.

The investigation has sparked debates about the limits of state authority in immigration matters and the potential consequences of defying federal directives. Local law enforcement agencies now face the challenge of balancing state guidelines with federal requirements.

Habba stated during her announcement:

We know that the governor has on his website, currently, dos and don'ts for his local state of law enforcement. Those dos and don'ts instruct them not to cooperate with illegal immigrants who have administrative warrants that have been issued by the court after due process. It is instructing them to go against our federal rules, our executive orders.

Federal Investigation Next Steps

The U.S. Attorney's office plans to examine all documentation related to the state's immigration enforcement policies. This includes reviewing internal communications, written directives, and public statements made by state officials regarding federal immigration cooperation.

Law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey await further guidance as the investigation unfolds. The probe could potentially impact existing agreements between state and federal authorities regarding immigration enforcement protocols.

Federal prosecutors have indicated their intention to pursue charges if evidence reveals deliberate obstruction of federal immigration laws. This stance signals a significant shift in the enforcement landscape across New Jersey.

Investigation Status and Future Implications

The federal probe into New Jersey's immigration policies centers on Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin's reported instructions to ignore certain immigration warrants. U.S. Attorney Alina Habba's investigation examines whether state officials violated federal law by directing law enforcement to disregard National Crime Information Center immigration warrants.

The investigation's outcome could significantly impact New Jersey's approach to immigration enforcement and its relationship with federal authorities. As federal prosecutors gather evidence and interview state officials, the investigation may reshape how state and local law enforcement agencies handle immigration matters throughout New Jersey.