By: Richard L. Smith
On October 9, 2024, state lawmakers and community leaders will gather in Newark to advocate for the newly introduced Immigrant Trust Act (S3672), a bill aimed at protecting the privacy of immigrant communities in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), along with The Honorable Senator Gordon Johnson (D-37) and The Honorable Assemblywoman Ellen Park (D-37), will host a press conference to highlight the urgent need for this legislation.
The Immigrant Trust Act is designed to ensure that immigrants can access critical public services and resources without fear that their personal information will be shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unless a federal warrant is obtained.
Advocates stress that this protection is more important than ever as national discussions around mass deportations, denaturalization, and family separation continue to intensify ahead of November’s election.
“This bill is crucial to safeguarding the privacy of immigrants who need access to healthcare, education, and other vital services,” said Senator Johnson. “Without this protection, many may avoid seeking help out of fear their information could be used against them.”
The press conference will be held at the NJAIJ Office, located at 17 Academy St, Suite 1200, Newark, NJ.
In addition to Senator Johnson and Assemblywoman Park, representatives from various advocacy groups, including AAPI-NJ, El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City, and Unitarian Universalist Faith Action, are expected to attend.
“The Immigrant Trust Act is about fairness and security for all New Jersey residents,” Assemblywoman Park noted. “We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of immigration status, feels safe accessing the services they need without the fear of deportation.”
Community leaders, including those from organizations like Resistencia en Acción, First Friends, and Faith in NJ, will join the lawmakers in supporting the bill.
Together, they will emphasize the importance of protecting immigrants from unnecessary profiling and reinforcing trust between immigrant communities and local authorities.
With the national debate on immigration enforcement becoming more polarized, supporters of the Immigrant Trust Act hope that the legislation will offer critical protections for New Jersey’s diverse immigrant population.