The Assembly Judiciary Committee in New Jersey has approved three bills—A6308, A6309, and A6310—that aim to strengthen protections for immigrant communities. According to Ami Kachalia, Campaign Strategist at the ACLU of New Jersey, “We thank the Assembly Judiciary Committee for passing this critical bill package that will strengthen protections for immigrant New Jerseyans by providing greater access to due process, personal data security, and essential services, like schools, libraries, and food pantries. Immigrant communities and families should be able to access the resources they need and deserve without worrying that doing so will lead to detention – that makes New Jersey safer for everyone. As attacks on immigrant communities increase across the country, our state must meet the moment and better protect all who call the Garden State home. The time is now for leadership and action. We call on the Legislature to keep these bills moving to build on our state’s momentum to create a fairer, safer, and more welcoming New Jersey.”
In addition to these measures supporting immigrants, the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee passed two other bills: A6206 ends automatic reincarceration for technical parole violations, while A4463 provides compassionate release for incarcerated elders. Jim Sullivan, Deputy Policy Director at the ACLU-NJ stated: “We thank the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee for passing A4463, providing compassionate release to incarcerated elders, and A6206, ending automatic reincarceration for technical parole violations. Both bills will have meaningful impact on New Jersey’s criminal legal system by advancing public safety, reducing unnecessary incarceration, strengthening reentry outcomes, and using taxpayer dollars responsibly. The time is now for leadership and action. We urge the full Assembly and Senate to pass these bills and get them to Governor Murphy’s desk to be signed into law.”
These legislative actions reflect ongoing efforts in New Jersey’s government aimed at reforming policies affecting both immigrants’ rights as well as criminal justice practices.
