ICE Agents Won't Abide By NJ Mask Ban, Feds Say

JACKSON, NJ — ICE agents ignored the law signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill when they wore masks while arresting a Mexican national in Jackson, which federal authorities say is unconstitutional and endangers agents.

"Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers," a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said in an email to Patch. "To be crystal clear: we will not abide by this unconstitutional ban. The Supremacy Clause makes it clear that New Jersey’s sanctuary politicians do not control federal law enforcement."

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The man, Rubiel Gabriel Nolasco, was arrested April 1 in Jackson by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel during what an ICE spokesperson said were targeted operations.

Nolasco had been arrested twice in 2021 by Border Patrol and was returned to Mexico on both occasions, the spokesperson said. He was arrested again on July 29, 2024, for domestic violence – simple assault by Toms River police, and he later pleaded guilty to the charge, the ICE spokesperson said.

Nolasco, who is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, also is facing charges for driving with a suspended license or registration, the spokesperson said.

The arrest by masked agents came to light in an Instagram post by Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, who was responding to messages from Jackson residents, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Sherrill signed a law on March 26 barring federal agents from wearing masks during ICE arrests, along with other bills addressing interactions between ICE and the community in New Jersey.

"As we’ve seen across the country, Donald Trump’s untrained, unaccountable, masked ICE agents are putting people in danger," Sherrill said. "That’s why in New Jersey, we are protecting our communities – strengthening our protections, banning ICE agents from wearing masks, and protecting residents’ privacy from federal overreach."

"ICE officers wear face coverings for one reason: to protect themselves and their families from real-world threats including agitators," the Homeland Security spokesperson said. "The danger is not hypothetical. Public databases and online 'lists' have been created to expose officers’ identities. Today, our ICE law enforcement officers face a more than 1,300 percent increase in assaults, 3,300 percent increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them."

"This law from sanctuary politicians in New Jersey is irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous," the spokesperson said.

A request for comment from Sherrill's office was not immediately answered Monday.

The Homeland Security spokesperson said there have been several arrests in New Jersey recently of immigrants who are facing serious felony charges including:

• Josue Calderon Mendez of Mexico, whose criminal history includes sexual assault;
• Juan Corona of Mexico, who has charges of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated strongarm assault and selling cocaine;
• Steven McKenzie of Jamaica, who has past charges including homicide, aggravated assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, carrying a prohibited weapon and robbery;
• Gabriel Murcia Lozano of Colombia, who has been charged with negligent manslaughter with a weapon and voluntary manslaughter, and
• Rudy Chavez of Guatemala, who has charges of homicide with a weapon and drug trafficking in his past.

Sherrill in January announced the New Jersey would launch a reporting system for residents to report ICE arrests and potential misconduct during arrests. The portal aims to collect information on incidents in the wake of the fatal shootings in January of two people in Minnesota during ICE activities there.

As of October 2025, more than more than 3,000 people had been arrested by federal agents in New Jersey, NJ Spotlight reported.