A sweeping legal battle is now unfolding between the federal government and New Jersey after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit targeting a controversial state law restricting federal immigration enforcement tactics. At the center of the fight: whether states can limit how ICE agents operate inside their borders, a question now headed for the courts with national implications for law enforcement power and public safety.

FEDERAL LAWSUIT SPARKS MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL SHOWDOWN

The United States Department of Justice is suing New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill, and state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport over legislation that restricts the ability of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to operate in the state.

In March, Sherrill signed three bills, including the Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act, which bans law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, from wearing masks while operating in New Jersey.

The DOJ escalated the dispute Wednesday by filing suit against the state leadership, arguing the law crosses a constitutional line.

The department described the measure as an "unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers."

Officials also warned the legislation could have dangerous consequences for agents in the field.

In its statement, the DOJ said the law "threatens the safety of federal officers who have faced an unprecedent wave of harassment, doxing, and even violence."

NEW JERSEY DEFENDS LAW, CITES SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport pushed back firmly against the federal challenge, defending the intent behind the law and insisting it was designed to balance safety concerns with public transparency.

"The New Jersey Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act protects both law enforcement and the public by limiting the use of masking while including careful exceptions to protect law enforcement safety and operational needs. To this day, the Federal Government still cannot explain when its officials need to mask or forgo identification in violation of this law, or why they actually need to do so, particularly given the serious safety concerns inherent in anonymized policing. New Jersey responded thoughtfully and carefully to these profound public safety concerns, and we look forward to responding in court. The Federal Government's contrary approach will only undermine public trust and accountability, and make it easier for criminals to impersonate our officers."

When asked for comment, the governor’s office referred CBS News New York to the attorney general’s statement.

WIDER FEDERAL PUSH AGAINST STATE RESTRICTIONS

The DOJ indicated this is not an isolated fight, noting that multiple lawsuits are being filed nationwide in response to state-level limits on federal law enforcement practices.

The legal clash comes as Sherrill has also signed additional measures reshaping cooperation between New Jersey and federal immigration authorities.

Those include the Immigration Trust Directive, which restricts state and local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, as well as another law preventing state agencies from sharing an individual’s immigration status with federal authorities without a judicial warrant.

As courtroom arguments loom, the outcome could help define how far states can go in regulating federal immigration enforcement inside their borders and reshape the balance of power between Washington and state governments.