Recently, a community leader reached out to me, distressed by the arrest of a newlywed husband by local law enforcement. Soon after, he was transferred to an immigration detention center.
“This happened very quickly,” the leader explained. The alarming aspect of this situation is that the couple had a family dispute and called local police using 911. Despite not filing a formal complaint, the husband was not released. Instead, he was sent to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, the largest immigration detention facility in Pennsylvania. There, he faced weeks of uncertainty, separated from his family.
In many instances, those in detention are deported if they cannot afford an attorney. Fortunately, he received legal help from the American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) Immigrant Rights Program.
A Disturbing Trend in New Jersey
Sadly, this case is not isolated. Time and again, individuals in New Jersey seeking social services have been reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by local government staff.
As an immigrant rights organizer for eight years, I have seen firsthand that immigrant communities in New Jersey and across the nation live in fear of seeking assistance from government agencies. The anxiety of being reported to federal immigration authorities often prevents individuals from accessing essential services and support.
This situation should not exist. No one should have to worry about seeking social services due to their immigration status. Over the years, AFSC’s immigration attorneys and organizers have aided many people whose routine interactions with police or government agencies led to detention and deportation. The effects are devastating. Families are torn apart. Homes and businesses are lost. Individuals are deported back to dangerous environments from which they fled.
Launching the Immigrant Trust Act
In response, a coalition of immigrant rights organizations in New Jersey, including AFSC, introduced the Immigrant Trust Act (ITA) on September 26. This bill aims to provide crucial privacy protections, ensuring that New Jersey residents can access public services—such as health care and education—without the fear of deportation.
Over the past five months, AFSC staff have worked to draft the bill and build support through the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), a coalition of over 50 local organizations and community groups. In the coming months, AFSC staff, partners, and community members will continue advocacy efforts through rallies, legislative testimony, and sharing personal stories of those harmed due to inadequate protections for immigrants in New Jersey.
The Immigrant Trust Act expands upon a policy enacted in 2018 called the Immigrant Trust Directive. When this policy was adopted, it recognized that “[immigrant] residents fear that a traffic stop will place them in a detention center, leading them to avoid everyday tasks that many take for granted. They fear that a call to police will result in deportation.” While the 2018 policy was a positive step, its protections are limited and not permanent.
The Need for Legislative Action
Now is the time for state legislators to take action. Passing the Immigrant Trust Act is essential to protecting immigrant communities. The bill would reinforce provisions in the 2018 directive and introduce additional safeguards. It would ensure that sensitive information about community members is not collected or shared at locations like public schools, health care facilities, libraries, and police stations.
Ensuring Safety for All Residents
We must urge our government officials to reconsider how state, county, and municipal resources are allocated. Public services must be accessible to everyone in need. Instead of prioritizing immigration enforcement, the focus should be on ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all community members.
New Jersey boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, with over 40% of its children growing up in immigrant families. This diversity highlights the vital contributions immigrants make to the state’s social and economic landscape. Supporting the Immigrant Trust Act is a way to honor these contributions and uphold the rights and dignity of every individual in New Jersey, regardless of their background.
Through these collective efforts, New Jersey can foster a stronger, more inclusive community. It’s time to encourage our legislators to back the Immigrant Trust Act, creating a New Jersey where everyone—regardless of immigration status—can seek safety and opportunity without fear.
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