Immigration in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1349: Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

This bill (S 1349) requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to adjust census data used for redistricting by excluding all noncitizens - regardless of immigration status - from the population count. It directly affects how legislative, county, and municipal districts are drawn in New Jersey, as the adjusted population (without noncitizens) would become the basis for redistricting. The key mechanism mandates that the Secretary of State modify data from the Census Bureau to remove noncitizen populations before creating voting districts. This change would alter district boundaries to reflect only citizen populations for representation purposes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Immigration

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2122: Specifies additional services for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence; makes $1,000,000 appropriation.

S 2122 establishes a program requiring New Jersey fire stations to serve as safe havens for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. Firefighters would receive specific training to refer victims to emergency shelters, legal aid, victim advocacy services, and community resources, while ensuring services are provided without discrimination based on citizenship status. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Human Trafficking Survivor’s Assistance Fund to implement this program, including firefighter training requirements and victim referral protocols. It directly affects victims of these crimes and firefighters who will facilitate access to critical support services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Civil Rights Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Citizenship & Naturalization

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 734: Establishes public awareness campaign and call center for certain property tax relief programs; requires submission of annual report by Stay NJ Task Force.

This bill creates a public awareness campaign and call center to help New Jersey residents access property tax relief programs. It directly affects eligible homeowners and tenants who qualify for six specific programs, including the Stay NJ Credit, ANCHOR, Homestead, and senior/disabled tax deductions. The campaign will explain eligibility, application steps, and required documents through media and online channels, while the call center provides real-time assistance in English and three other common languages. The bill also requires the Stay NJ Task Force to submit an annual report on program administration.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1524: Requires certification that persons directly or indirectly receiving State monies or privileges are not unauthorized aliens.

This bill requires individuals or employers receiving state benefits (such as contracts, loans, tax breaks, grants, or licenses) to certify that their presence in the U.S. is authorized under federal law. Employers must also certify they made a good-faith effort to verify employees’ work eligibility under federal law. The New Jersey Department of Labor must provide a standardized form for this certification, including a statement that knowingly false claims may result in penalties. The law applies to all state agencies and aims to incorporate the certification into existing application processes, not create a new system. Penalties only apply to "knowingly and willfully" false statements.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies Work Authorization

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 907: Prohibits State funding to assist immigrants facing detention or deportation.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state funds from being used to provide legal assistance or services to immigrants facing detention or deportation based on their immigration status. It directly affects public agencies and nonprofit organizations that might receive state funding for such legal aid, blocking direct state payments or funds flowing through contracts or grants. The key mechanism bans all state financial support - whether direct or indirect - for legal help related to immigration detention or deportation cases. The bill takes immediate effect and specifically targets funding that would otherwise support services like those proposed in Governor Murphy's FY2025 budget for Legal Services of New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 48: Memorializes President and Department of Homeland Security to expedite and prioritize certain immigration applications.

SR 48 is a non-binding Senate resolution from New Jersey requesting the President and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prioritize immigration applications for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It specifically urges expedited processing for individuals classified as essential - particularly those in healthcare and other critical fields - who are seeking U.S. citizenship or green cards. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks federal agencies to accelerate these applications amid pandemic-related delays. It directly affects immigrant workers in essential sectors who face prolonged processing times under current systems.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2753: Authorizes provision of comprehensive health care coverage to certain undocumented immigrants and children.

This bill, S 2753, would expand New Jersey’s NJ FamilyCare health coverage program to include pregnant undocumented immigrants and their dependent children under age one. Pregnant undocumented immigrants would receive full coverage through the 60 days following their pregnancy, and their children would qualify for coverage until age one - bypassing current rules that limit undocumented immigrants to emergency-only care. The bill requires the state to first seek federal funding for this coverage, and if federal funds aren’t approved, it would rely on state funds. It explicitly states coverage would only be provided in compliance with federal law, defining "undocumented immigrant" as someone unable to verify legal status or lawful presence in the U.S.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics DACA & Dreamers

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3216: "Transparency in Federal Law Enforcement Activities Act"; establishes law enforcement officer identification requirements under certain circumstances.

S 3216, the "Transparency in Federal Law Enforcement Activities Act," requires federal law enforcement officers (such as ICE or CBP agents) operating in New Jersey with state or local law enforcement to visibly display their name and agency on identification and verbally state this information upon request when questioning, detaining, or arresting someone. It applies to all federal agents participating in joint operations with New Jersey agencies. State and local officers must refuse to assist in any operation if federal agents fail to comply, and violations can lead to disciplinary action against officers or private lawsuits for affected residents. The bill clarifies it does not interfere with lawful federal actions but mandates transparency during cooperative law enforcement activities within New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2696: Establishes "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act," creating a Migrant and Refugee Resource Coordination Program within the Department of Human Services. The program connects migrants (individuals relocating to NJ from other countries) and refugees (those granted federal refugee status) with public assistance resources, including housing, healthcare, education, job training, and legal services. The Department must collaborate with local governments and community organizations, implement multilingual outreach, and submit annual reports detailing program effectiveness and recommendations. The law takes immediate effect and focuses on facilitating access to existing state services, not creating new benefits.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1046: "New Jersey Laken Riley Act"; establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.

New Jersey's S 1046, the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes procedures for law enforcement when arresting undocumented immigrants charged with specific serious crimes. It applies to individuals not citizens, lawful residents, or authorized under certain federal programs (like DACA or asylum) who face charges including first-degree crimes, motor vehicle offenses causing injury, or federal aggravated felonies/crimes of violence. The bill requires officers to verify immigration status via DHS; if confirmed as unlawfully present, officers must comply with federal immigration detainers and prosecutors must seek pretrial detention, overriding state bail reform laws. The bill repeals prior state laws restricting immigration enforcement and ends the "Immigrant Trust Directive" that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

All immigration bills