NEW JERSEY LEADS THE FIGHT TO “BE GOOD” AND PROTECT IMMIGRANTS

On the final day of the legislative session, the legislature sends three immigrant protection bills to Governor Murphy

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY [01.12.2026] -  On final day of the legislative session, and less than a week after the nation watched in horror as an ICE agent killed Minnesotan mother and activist Renee Nicole Good, Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Scutari sent three immigrant protection bills to Governor Murphy to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive, designate safe community spaces, and provide critical privacy protections.

The protections in this package are part of a multi-year fight. Elements of S5036/A6308: The Safe Communities Act; S5037/A6309: The Privacy Protection Act; and S5038/A6310: Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities were first introduced in 2021, shortly after the legislature passed AB5207, which banned ICE detention contracts with the federal government. Together, the protections in these bills rebuke the politics of terror and retribution that have not only defined federal immigration policy for decades, but regularly hit close to home. 

“Today’s vote on the immigrant protections package is a hard-earned win for the movement that has fought for years to free ourselves from the tyranny of mass detention and deportation. As these bills move to the Governor’s desk, New Jersey is one step closer to becoming a place where fear no longer dictates people’s lives,” said Amy Torres, Executive Director with New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. “This legislature has made it clear: the answer to this world’s uncertainty can be found by leading with our values. While this isn’t a finish line, it is long-awaited steady ground. These protections are a leg up on the chaos and confusion that have controlled immigrant lives for too long. From here, we don’t rest, we recommit. Our fight for due process, comprehensive protections, and accountability continues tomorrow.”

“Today, New Jersey moved a real step forward—because our communities have persisted for years to make it happen. These bills strengthen limits on local cooperation with ICE, including a major improvement: ending collaboration based solely on a final order of removal. That will help keep families together,” said Katy Sastre, Executive Director of First Friends of New Jersey and New York. “But we have to name what else is true: there are still exceptions that leave people with pending charges and past convictions unprotected—choices that will keep funneling primarily Black immigrants and other immigrants of color into detention and deportation. Our leaders say they believe in due process, but when protections disappear the moment someone is accused, those words are empty. Safety and dignity can’t depend on whether the system decides you’re ‘worthy.’ We’ll take this win—and we’ll keep fighting until the protections apply to all of us.”

Over the last 12 months, New Jersey was one of the first states to experience a mass workplace raid (within 72 hours of the President’s swearing in) and witnessed the rushed construction and opening of Delaney Hall, the federal administration’s first new detention center. New Jerseyans watched in horror and disgust as federal agents swarmed and arrested Mayor Ras Baraka and once more when the Department of Justice issued charges against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver and filed suit against Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, and Hoboken for their so-called “sanctuary” policies. Immigrant detention centers in New Jersey have been roiled with controversy over a lack of adequate or edible food, drinking water, and general medical access in care, culminating in the death of Jean Wilson Brutus, a Haitian immigrant who was in federal custody for less than 24 hours. 

“The fear of immigration enforcement keeps too many families in the Ironbound of Newark from accessing the services they rely on—from children missing school to seniors and survivors avoiding essential support,” said Hazel Applewhite, CEO of the Ironbound Community Corporation. “This legislation allows families to safely get the help they need and ensures our neighborhoods can rebuild and remain connected.”

“Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. This never would have happened without the thousands of community members, grassroots activists, faith leaders, and advocates who fought for this legislation and fought to keep our state safe,” said Nedia Morsy, Director of Make the Road New Jersey. “The murder of Renee Nicole Good is all the proof we need that ICE is a threat to all of us. That’s why legislation like this is so important. We can’t trust the federal government to keep us safe right now, whether or not you’re an immigrant. We need state lawmakers to fight back with all the power they have.”

“We are Jersey brave, and we chose to love our neighbors—because that’s what faithful people do when fear is loud. Authoritarianism demands scapegoats and silence; we answered with protection and the courage to welcome,” said Charlene Walker, Executive Director of Faith in New Jersey. “We grieve what this victory cannot repair: the lives already shattered, and the loss of Jean Wilson Brutus, whose name we will not let be forgotten. But let it be clear: our neighbors’ humanity is not up for debate. Guided by faith and powered by the people, we will make safety, dignity, and belonging the standard for every family.”

2025 was marked by an accelerated mass detention and deportation pipeline and was one of the deadliest years in immigration detention since 2005. In New Jersey, where one in four residents is an immigrant, the federal administration has targeted immigrant communities with alarming intensity, more than quadrupling detention capacity and carrying out arbitrary and unjust raids in every corner of the state. Community stories are chilling—parents are pulling children from school, families are avoiding medical care, workers hesitate reporting labor violations, and community members are staying home from worship or skipping food pantry lines out of fear of exposure or arrest. In the first half of 2025 alone, ICE arrested over 3,200 New Jersey residents, a surge from 2024 when 2,959 New Jerseyans were arrested by ICE.

“Today’s vote advancing the immigration protection package in New Jersey marks a historic victory for immigrant communities in South Jersey, particularly in Atlantic County, where thousands of families live and work while facing daily uncertainty and fear,” said Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez, Executive Director of El Pueblo Unido. “By setting clear guidelines that prevent local and state police from working with ICE, this legislation strengthens trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve and ensures public safety without criminalizing immigration status. For Atlantic County families, this vote represents hope, dignity, and the promise of a safer future rooted in justice and community trust.”

“In recent months, New Jersey’s immigrant children have experienced increased targeting by the federal government, making them feel unsafe in their communities and fearful of their data being shared with federal immigration agencies,” said Fred Wied, Policy Director of New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children. “The adoption of these immigrant trust laws sends a powerful message to our children: that they can grow up without fear of their local institutions and that they are there to help them on their journey.” 

“Creating standards for confidentiality and protecting communities should be at the center of any state policy. Immigrant communities and organizations have worked for too long for us to accept the bare minimum,“ said Araceli Argueta, Advocacy and Organizing Director from the American Friends Service Committee. “This vote comes at a historic moment and requires bold leadership. ICE is separating families every day in New Jersey, destabilizing families, schools, businesses, and who we are as a state. New Jersey is stronger with immigrants, and the time to protect all our constitutional rights is now.”

"Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in New Jersey are among the many communities who will benefit from the protections in these bills that will prevent racial profiling and protect due process rights, keeping more families together,” said Hera Mir, Policy Associate with AAPI New Jersey. “Immigration arrest rates for Asian American communities have tripled under the Trump administration, and five Asian Americans have died in ICE detention in the past year. We applaud the Senate and Assembly for taking action to defend our state, and send special gratitude to the AAPI legislators who were crucial to advancing this historic legislation. We call on Governor Murphy to sign these bills into law immediately."

“The passage of the bills is a victory for our coalition, for New Labor and for all of the directly impacted members who organized to make these protections a reality,” said Amanda Dominguez, an organizer at New Labor. “This victory affirms that collective action works! By building strong coalitions and centering the voices of immigrant and working-class communities, we won meaningful policy change that will make our schools, workplaces and communities safer. The passage of these bills will save lives and benefit all New Jerseyans. We will continue organizing in coalition until New Jersey is safe for all and ICE is out of New Jersey. Si se pudo! La lucha sigue!”

“As doctors, we have seen more and more patients delaying or avoiding care when they need it out of fear that a trip to the hospital could put them on a path to immigration detention or deportation,” said Dr. Grace Fitting, a member of the Committee of Interns and Residents-SEIU. “The passage of these bills represents a crucial step forward for public health in New Jersey, especially at a time of ramped-up immigration targeting, and we applaud the legislature for its action on this issue."

The legislative package that was sent to the floor today includes three critical protections that, together, shield New Jerseyans from federal overreach and ensure access to education, healthcare, and community without fear that those very same resources could be used against them by federal agents. S5036/A6308, The Safe Communities Act, identifies “sensitive locations” and would work with the Attorney General to establish clear policies, protocols, and guidance for schools, courts, healthcare facilities, and places of worship if ICE attempts to enter these protected spaces. S5037/A6309, The Privacy Protection Act, bars state agencies from collecting or sharing sensitive personal data with federal immigration enforcement, unless strictly necessary to determine eligibility for services. And S5038/A6310, Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities, codifies the Immigrant Trust Directive, safeguarding and strengthening the existing rights that protect immigrant communities across the state. 

“With the passage of this immigration package, New Jersey has affirmed what we see every day in our schools: when students and families feel safe, learning thrives,” said Kimberly Valle, Executive Director of ImmSchools. “These laws move our schools out of crisis mode and allow educators to focus on teaching, students to focus on learning, and communities to build stable, hopeful futures—without fear.”

“This day was a long time in coming, but it doesn’t compare to the decades that millions of our neighbors who are American in everything but name have been waiting to be citizens and remaining targets, or to the eternity that can seem to go by while your loved ones are in unjust and illegal captivity by ICE,” said Diana Mejia of Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center. “These bills’ passage marked a milestone in our communities’ care for each other, and a measure of our ongoing mission to protect all New Jerseyans meaningfully. Now we look to Governor Murphy to seal his legacy by taking a stand and signing these bills swiftly. With masked agents occupying our towns and threatening our rights no matter who we are, our communities need this more with every passing day, and this can be the day he helps us turn the corner on this violent era and toward the state and country we can be.”

“UU FaithAction NJ welcomes these long-overdue legislative protections,” said Rev. Charles Loflin, Executive Director of UU Faith Action NJ. “We believe in the promise of a New Jersey that protects and defends the safety, privacy, and due process rights of everyone. We are stronger in a democracy of ALL the people, by ALL the people and for ALL the people.”

“Across the country, we are witnessing horrific attacks on immigrant communities. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to violate people’s constitutional rights and undermine due process,” said Erik Cruz Morales, Director of Democracy with the League of Women Voters of New Jersey. “The package of legislation voted on today sets New Jersey apart by affirming our state’s values—that our public resources belong to our communities, not to the detention and deportation machine. This legislation advances policies that protect people’s privacy, respect sensitive locations such as schools and houses of worship, and strengthen trust between communities and government. We commend the Legislature for advancing this critical package of bills and urge Governor Murphy to sign it into law.”

"Today’s vote advancing Bills A6308–A6310 is a powerful reminder of what happens when lawmakers choose to listen to the people they represent,” said Haliema Twam, Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager at the Palestinian American Community Center. “We are proud of the legislators who heard our communities, honored our stories, and took meaningful action to protect immigrant families across New Jersey. Now we urge Governor Phil Murphy to do the same by signing this bill package without cuts or delay. When our communities feel heard, we show up — and we will continue showing up to support leaders who stand on the side of dignity, safety, and justice."

"For Muslim communities and all immigrants, trust is not abstract—it is the difference between seeking help and staying silent," said Ali Aljarrah, Senior Advisor for CAIR Action. "The Immigrant Trust Package protects the dignity of families who deserve to live without fear, and it strengthens public safety by ensuring that our schools, hospitals, and local institutions serve people—not deportation pipelines.”

“Immigrant protection bills A6308, A6309, and A6310 are essential to protecting the safety, dignity, and rights of all New Jersey communities. When families are forced to live in fear—afraid to report crimes, seek medical care, or access basic services—our entire state is weakened,” said Seongwon Kim, Program Manager at the Minkwon Center. “These bills are critical to restoring trust, upholding due process, and ensuring that New Jersey remains a place where everyone can live without fear. We want everyone to thrive in their lives across the state. We are urging Governor Murphy to take immediate action and sign these bills. Every day of delay leaves families vulnerable and communities less safe.”

“This victory belongs to the people, the coalition that carried this work forward, and the New Jersey legislators who chose courage over political pressure,” said Rosalie Wong, Co-Founder of WADE In NJ. “By standing up to federal overreach, they affirmed that New Jersey will lead with dignity, fairness, and shared responsibility. Together, we moved these immigration bills forward for the people who call this state home.”

“The Immigrant Protections Package for New Jersey affirms our state’s commitment to trust, safety, and standing firmly with our immigrant families & neighbors,” said Julie Moreno of American Families United Action. “In a state as diverse and resilient as New Jersey, the passage of these bills sends a clear message that our leaders bravely lead with compassion, dignity, and justice.”

“The One Boat Coalition applauds today's passage of legislation that will protect the rights of immigrants and their families across New Jersey. Once enacted, these bills would make our communities safer and afford all of us to go about our day with less fear of violation of our Constitutional rights,” said Sungkwan Jang of One Boat Coalition. “Across immigration status, language, and ethnicity, we in New Jersey are all intricately connected. To quote, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.’ To that end, the AAPI community in Bergen County celebrates today's progress. The One Boat Coalition thanks the prime sponsors of the three bills and the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice for its continued leadership and solidarity.”

Once the legislation has passed through the Legislature, Governor Murphy will need only sign it into law. Without the complete scope of these critical protections, immigrant New Jerseyans and their families will continue to be terrorized by the uncertainty of whether our state’s resources are being used to serve our communities or to tear them apart. 

"It is crucial that Governor Phil Murphy sign in support of the Attorney General's Immigrant Trust Directive, the Safe Communities Act, and the Privacy Protections Act,” said Rosanna Rodriguez, Co-Director of the Laundry Workers Center. “These vital measures will provide meaningful relief to New Jersey’s immigrant community. Over the past year, our community has endured ongoing fear and anxiety due to indiscriminate immigration raids conducted by ICE. The New Jersey legislature and the governor have a responsibility to ensure these civil rights bills become law, establishing a lasting legacy that supports and protects our communities.” 

“We are grateful that this critical bill package is headed to Governor Murphy’s desk to be signed into law. These bills will cement long-overdue protections for immigrant New Jerseyans and allow people to access state and local government services without fear of detention and deportation,” said Ami Kachalia, Campaign Strategist at ACLU-NJ. “As we witness people dying at the hands of ICE and CBP and the escalating attacks on immigrant communities across the country, we are proud that our state is taking bold action to meet the moment. We urge the Governor to pass these bills as written to better protect the constitutional rights of all New Jerseyans and make our state stronger and safer – it's what New Jersey, and everyone, deserves.”

"As co-chair of RAC-NJ, the New Jersey Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, I am grateful that New Jersey has taken a meaningful step toward protecting immigrant communities and limiting the harm caused by fear and unchecked immigration enforcement,” said Rabbi Philip Bazeley of RAC-NJ. “Our Jewish tradition teaches that we must not stand idly by when our neighbors are vulnerable, and this legislation moves us closer to a state where dignity, safety, and trust are possible for more families. Again and again, the Torah commands us to protect the ‘ger’ — the immigrant — because we know what it means to live without security or power. At the same time, this work remains unfinished, as too many people are still left without full protection. We celebrate this progress while recommitting ourselves, as people of faith and conscience, to keep pushing until justice, safety, and human dignity truly extend to all.”

“Given ICE’s increasingly violent, illegal and immoral actions, we’re proud that our state legislators have passed these bills to protect all communities,” said Susan Vercheak, co-chair, Immigration Committee, SOMA Action, a grassroots progressive group in South Orange, Maplewood. “We expect Governor Murphy to sign them into law as is, and Governor-Elect Sherrill to vigorously enforce them.”

As Governor Murphy concludes his final term, advocates look back on the wins and accomplishments the movement has delivered – from drivers’ licenses to all, to a ban on ICE contracts, from protections for workers, to language access and data equity. Signing these bills into law would be a defining act that cements a legacy of principled leadership and secures New Jersey’s place as a national leader in the fight for immigrant justice.

“This vote represents progress,” said Ana Paola, Executive Director of Resistencia en Acción. “At the same time, allowing police to transfer people to ICE based only on charges, not convictions, violates basic due process. In New Jersey, more than 50 percent of those arrested are never found guilty. Policies that presume guilt before due process will continue to disproportionately impact Black and brown immigrant communities. Our work continues until constitutional rights are fully protected for all, though we celebrate other key protections, including protections for people with final removal orders.”

"After five years of advocacy, the Legislature has taken action to close loopholes that have left residents' personal data vulnerable to federal immigration enforcement,” said Nicole Rodriguez, President of New Jersey Policy Perspective. “While we're analyzing the final bill language, this represents real progress toward ensuring New Jerseyans can access essential services without fear of surveillance. We'll be watching implementation closely to ensure these protections are meaningful and enforced."

“Indivisible Cranbury and our over 400 members are proud to have supported the three Immigrant Protection Package bills.  Thank you to the Legislature for supporting these bills and passing them on the floor today,” said Jenny Psaki, Chair of the Preserving Our Immigrant Communities Taskforce/Indivisible Cranbury NJ. “Governor Murphy, as part of your legacy of supporting the rights of vulnerable communities, we strongly request that you support and immediately sign all three Immigrant Protections Package bills into law, including codifying the Immigrant Trust Directive and strengthening privacy protections - not just for immigrant communities but for all New Jerseyans.”

While advocates herald this progress, they also warn that this is no final act. The bills provide critical protections, but importantly, they also provide a stable footing to fight for additional rights and protections.

###

New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) is the state’s largest immigration coalition. Alongside 60+ organizations across the state, NJAIJ fights for policies that empower and protect immigrants.