Advocacy groups urge state lawmakers to further develop recently signed immigrant protection laws

Advocacy groups are urging state lawmakers to further develop three immigrant protection laws recently signed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The laws increase protections for the state’s 2.25 million immigrant population. Then-Gov. Phil Murphy decided to not sign, or pocket-vetoed, the bills before leaving office on Jan. 20. The Privacy Protection Act protects personal data shared with schools, hospitals and libraries; and the Strengthening Trust Act codifies a 2018 directive that limits state law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Sherrill also signed a law requiring ICE agents to remove their face masks prior to arresting or detaining someone. American Civil Liberties Union of NJ, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and Council on American-Islamic Relations-NJ are calling on lawmakers to expand protections amid due process violations, such as unlawful detention. ACLU-NJ released a statement demanding the state Legislature increases funding for access to counsel in immigration proceedings.

Advocates renewed their push for immigrant protections after President Donald Trump signed executive orders on Jan. 20, 2025 to ramp up deportations. The Jersey Bee has immigration resources at jerseybee.org/community/immigrants. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

From ACLU of New Jersey.