The New Jersey Legislature has passed a set of bills aimed at increasing protections for immigrants in the state. The package, which includes bills S5036/A6308, S5037/A6309, and S5038/A6310, now awaits Governor Phil Murphy’s signature.
Ami Kachalia, Campaign Strategist for the ACLU of New Jersey, issued a statement following the legislative action. “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. 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.”
Kachalia also acknowledged several lawmakers for their roles in sponsoring the legislation. “Thank you to Senators Diegnan, Johnson, McKeon, Mukherji, Timberlake, and Zwicker, and Assemblymembers Danielsen, Park, Pintor Marin, Quijano, Reynolds-Jackson, Rodriguez, and Ruiz for sponsoring these bills. 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.”
If signed into law by Governor Murphy, these measures would establish new safeguards for immigrants seeking access to government services in New Jersey.
