On January 20, 2026, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Safe Communities Act (A6308) into law on his final day in office. However, he chose to pocket veto two related bills: the Privacy Protection Act (A6309) and legislation intended to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive (A6310).
The New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) issued a statement responding to these actions. Nicole Rodriguez, President of NJPP, said, “New Jersey Policy Perspective welcomes Governor Murphy’s signing of A6308, the Safe Communities Act, which ensures schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship remain safe and accessible to all residents regardless of immigration status. After five years of community-led advocacy, this protection is a meaningful step forward.
“However, the Governor’s decision to pocket veto A6309 and A6310 leaves critical gaps in protections for New Jersey’s immigrant communities.
“On A6309 (Privacy Protection Act): The Governor cites a ‘drafting oversight’ that could jeopardize federal funding. While we take these concerns seriously, New Jerseyans needed comprehensive privacy protections yesterday, not weeks from now. We urge the administration to publicly specify the provision at issue so the Legislature can address it and reintroduce this legislation immediately.
“On A6310 (Immigrant Trust Directive): The Governor argues that codifying protections beyond the 2018 directive could invite legal challenges.
“This reasoning prioritizes legal caution over legislative action at a moment when immigrant communities face unprecedented federal threats. The Legislature passed stronger protections because the current directive may not be sufficient under a second Trump administration. Fear of litigation should not prevent New Jersey from enacting the strongest possible safeguards.”
The Safe Communities Act aims to ensure public spaces such as schools and hospitals are accessible without fear for all residents regardless of their immigration status. NJPP expressed concern that by not signing additional measures into law, important privacy and trust protections for immigrants in New Jersey remain unresolved.
