MARKING ANNIVERSARY OF NJ’S BAN ON ICE JAILS, ACTIVISTS VISIT EVERY NJ CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT TO DEMAND IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

As Congress’s August recess draws to a close, NJAIJ led a statewide day of action to demand a united front against the mass deportation agenda

Trenton, NJ [08.19.25] -  On the eve of the 4th anniversary of New Jersey’s hard-fought ban on ICE detention contracts, nearly 100 immigrant rights advocates carried out a coordinated day of action across all twelve of New Jersey’s congressional districts. The ban, also known as AB5207, has faced a series of legal challenges that have allowed existing private facilities like the Elizabeth Detention Center, run by CoreCivic, to remain operational, while far larger new sites, like GEO Group’s Delaney Hall, have opened or are slated to become operational soon. The effort brought activists directly to the offices of each federal representative with one message: When representatives return to Washington, it’s time to fight and defend immigrants.

“While some of our federal representatives have literally put their bodies on the line in front of detention centers to stop ICE’s abuse and reign of terror, others have remained embarrassingly silent. Who would dare sit on the sidelines while their state is under attack?” said Dante Apaestegui of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. “Congress is home on recess, but that doesn’t mean their work is done. We want them to know that our communities don’t get a recess for ICE’s abuse. We need representatives who will not only vote in defense of immigrants, but also speak out against those who criminalize and target our families and neighbors.”

The action also landed on the same day that the U.S. Department of Justice had issued a correspondence deadline for four New Jersey cities (Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Hoboken) that were sued over their “sanctuary jurisdiction” local policies. Earlier today, Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken revealed that US Attorney General Bondi had threatened funding cuts and criminal charges over Hoboken’s immigrant protection policies. Bhalla called the correspondence “bullying,” and affirmed that Hoboken would “never abandon our morals and values at the request of the federal government.” Advocates said the timing of these escalations, alongside the takeovers of Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, underscores how the federal government is intentionally targeting pro-immigrant places like New Jersey as a bellwether for whether the public is willing to take a stand against the encroachment of militarized federal surveillance, patrols, and takeovers.

“Our day of action is what real courage looks like: at a time when immigrants are fearful of being exposed at work, at school, or in public, we had people from every corner of New Jersey showing up together, office by office, to demand justice,” said Seongwon Kim of Minkwon Community Action Center who visited Representative Gottheimer’s office. “That’s the example we want our representatives to follow. We are strongest when we speak up together. Silence doesn’t protect you; it does the opposite. It undermines us all.”

“Immigrant communities across the state are once again showing that the fight for immigrant justice is far from over. From Elizabeth to Delaney Hall, federal loopholes and corporate interests are undermining protections. At the same time, our elected officials must decide whether they will stand with their constituents or with the detention machine. The coordinated actions across all twelve congressional districts send a powerful message: silence is complicity, and our communities will not sit quietly,” said Maura from Make the Road New Jersey, who visited the offices of Representatives Kean and Pallone. “The pressure coming from the Trump administration makes it clear that New Jersey is at the epicenter of family separation. But we’re not backing down. Our congressional delegation must return to D.C. ready to act, not just vote. We need visible, vocal leadership willing to take on this federal overreach and defend sanctuary policies, immigrant families, and the values our state claims to uphold. This fight is about protecting lives and rejecting fear-driven governance in all its forms.”

“We were glad to participate in this action because this alarm needs to be sounded in all 435 congressional districts,” said Eric Benson, For the Many Campaign Director, who visited Congresswoman McIver’s office today. “Families are being torn apart, healthcare is being stripped away, and $45 billion is being funneled into detention centers that will turn our communities into hunting grounds for deportation raids. Billionaires got a massive tax break, and the rest of us are footing the bill for inhumane detention centers.”

“The federal government has already gone after New Jersey Mayors and Members of Congress, powerful people with huge platforms,” said Johan Mora Valverde of SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, who visited Representative Menendez’s office. “But what about families with special needs who are too afraid to show up to teachers’ conferences? What about the parents who are worried about sending their kids to school? These are the New Jerseyans we need Congress to stand up for, too. The time is now.”

“Today was about holding Congress accountable to the work they pledged to fulfill: protect the Constitution and protect their constituents. I’m energized after today because, yes, there is a lot of work to do. But I also expect similar action from lawmakers in Trenton,” said Danielle Iwata, Director of Organizing at AAPI New Jersey, who visited Representative Sherrill’s office. “Today was about Washington, DC, but Trenton is never off our radar.”

“As someone whose career is dedicated to fighting for unaccompanied children and immigrant families, I can tell you that words alone don’t protect people— action does. We’re calling on our representatives to use everything they’ve got: their votes, their voices, and their influence to stop these attacks on immigrants,” said Fred Wied of the New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children, who visited Representative Menendez’s office.

“Every member of Congress must know that New Jerseyans are deeply invested in ensuring our elected officials take real, tangible steps to end the lawlessness unfolding in our streets and across the country. Silence is complicity—there is no neutral ground. Supporting and advancing legislation like the No Secret Police Act, Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, and Neighbors, Not Enemies Act are essential to defending our democracy, our safety, and the right to due process. Our representatives should know they can only expect to hear from even more constituents, service providers, and a wide range of coalition partners demanding that they step up and defend our communities and our state,” said Itzel Hernandez, Immigrant Rights Organizer at American Friends Service Committee, who visited Representative Pallone’s office.

“Banning ICE detention contracts in New Jersey was never the finish line,” said Ana Paola from Resistencia en Accion, who visited Representative Watson-Coleman and Conaway’s office. “It was a starting point for reimagining what a New Jersey for all of us looks like. That vision is under attack, and if our congressmembers truly want to stand by their constituents, now is the time to rise to the occasion.”

At each congressional office, activists held meetings urging their elected leaders to increase the tone and tenor of their dissent in addition to taking bolder stances against dangerous legislation. Some shared community stories and collaborated on potential Know Your Rights efforts and legal clinics to spread awareness about rights and resources. While advocates physically went to every office in New Jersey, not all received a warm welcome. Some were literally locked out.

“As a South Jersey resident, it was validating to visit my representative and those in neighboring districts. I was excited to speak as both an advocate and a constituent. But you can imagine my surprise and disappointment when I arrived at one of the representative’s offices to find the door locked and the office closed. I know Congress is supposed to be on recess, but that is supposed to mean they are more present here at home, not less,” said Madison Linton of the  New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, who visited the offices of Representatives Smith, Conaway, and Van Drew.

The coordinated visits drew together community leaders, faith leaders, and directly impacted families from across the state. Organizers said the action reflects both the moral urgency of the moment and the growing political potential and prowess of immigrant New Jerseyans.

“New Jersey thrives when every resident feels safe to send their children to school and seek medical care without fear of deportation. Our economy grows when immigrants can work without fear. Our Congressmembers heard us today. But Trenton refuses to listen: The Immigrant Trust Act is about strengthening trust, safety, justice, as well as protecting our workforce and keeping our state moving forward,” said Louise Walpin & Rosalie Wong, Co-leads of WADEIn New Jersey.

Advocates say that although the focus of today’s action was federal work, there is a growing chasm between what federal representatives are able to do in comparison to their colleagues in Trenton. New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice and its coalition of 60+ organizations continue to push for the Immigrant Trust Act to codify and expand crucial privacy protections for immigrants and their families.

“Our communities are exhausted by the endless scapegoating and attacks. Congress and our State legislature have the power to not only push for more protections but also to change the narrative—we need to tell the truth about who immigrants are and how much we contribute to this state. We all deserve to bloom in the Garden State. New Jersey can show the rest of the world what immigrants are made of,” said Jessica Culley of CATA Farmworkers Support Committee, who visited Representative Norcross’s office. Culley also serves as an executive chair on NJAIJ's steering committee board.

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