Immigration

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4283: Establishes "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act."

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Migrant and Refugee Assistance Act" to create a coordination program within the Department of Human Services. The program connects migrants (individuals relocating from other countries) and refugees (granted federal refugee status) with existing public assistance resources like housing, healthcare, job training, education, and legal services. It requires the Department to collaborate with local governments and community groups, conduct multilingual outreach, and submit annual reports tracking program effectiveness and service numbers. The bill directly affects migrants and refugees in New Jersey seeking support to integrate into state services.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates state program connecting migrants/refugees to housing, healthcare, legal services via DHS coordination, directly advancing immigrant integration and access to state resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Immigrant Services Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4481: Permits employee to use earned sick leave in connection with immigration-related proceeding.

This bill amends New Jersey's earned sick leave law to explicitly allow employees to use accrued sick leave for immigration-related proceedings. It directly affects workers facing immigration court hearings, consultations with legal counsel, or other immigration-related legal matters. The key provision adds "time needed by the employee in connection with an immigration-related proceeding" as a permitted use under the existing sick leave statute. This change aligns with the state's existing framework for sick leave, which already covers medical care, family care, and domestic violence situations. The bill does not alter sick leave accrual rates or documentation requirements for this new purpose.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnables employees to use sick leave for immigration proceedings, protecting workers' rights to attend legal matters without financial penalty.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands earned sick leave benefits to cover immigration-related legal proceedings, directly protecting workers' rights and increasing access to paid leave for critical legal matters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4313: Allows persons who qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to become law enforcement and corrections officers.

This bill amends New Jersey law to allow individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to work as law enforcement and corrections officers. It replaces the existing requirement that officers must be U.S. citizens with a new standard permitting those granted DACA relief under federal immigration law. The change applies to all state and county correctional officers, police departments, and juvenile corrections roles, without altering other existing requirements like English proficiency, high school diplomas, background checks, or moral character standards. This directly affects DACA-eligible individuals seeking public safety careers in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands law enforcement/corrections workforce eligibility to DACA recipients, promoting inclusive criminal justice system participation without restricting existing standards.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllows DACA recipients to work in state law enforcement by removing citizenship barriers, directly supporting immigrant integration and DACA protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Policing DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4300: Imposes 50 percent tax on gross receipts from operation of private carceral facilities in State; establishes "Immigrant Protection Fund."

This bill imposes a 50% tax on gross receipts from contracts between private companies and public entities for operating carceral facilities in New Jersey (e.g., private jails or detention centers). It directly affects private businesses running such facilities, requiring them to pay the tax annually based on their prior year’s revenue from these contracts. All tax revenue must be deposited into a new "Immigrant Protection Fund," which the state will use exclusively to fund immigration-related services. The fund is non-lapsing, meaning money stays available for future appropriations without annual renewal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 50% tax on private carceral facilities, directing revenue to 'Immigrant Protection Fund' to fund immigration programs, advancing fiscal allocation for specific services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTaxing private carceral facilities reduces for-profit incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to limit mass incarceration and redirect funds.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill taxes private immigration detention facilities and funds an 'Immigrant Protection Fund' for immigration services, directly advancing immigrant rights and support through dedicated funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 174: 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 applies to all state contracts, grants, or funding agreements with public agencies or nonprofit organizations offering such legal help. The law takes immediate effect and blocks funding that would otherwise support legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. It directly affects immigrants seeking legal aid in deportation cases and organizations that provide such services using state resources. The bill does not change immigration law but restricts state financial support for related legal services.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits state funding for immigrant legal services, directly restricting budget allocation for this purpose.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill prohibits state funding for legal assistance to immigrants facing deportation, restricting access to legal representation and opposing immigrant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1357: Authorizes provision of comprehensive health care coverage to undocumented immigrant aliens.

New Jersey's Bill A1357 would amend state law to allow undocumented immigrants residing in New Jersey - who meet all other Medicaid eligibility criteria (like income and residency) - to receive comprehensive healthcare coverage through the state's Medicaid program. The bill requires the Commissioner of Human Services to implement systems for this coverage only after confirming federal funding approval, prioritizing federal financial participation before using state funds. It explicitly complies with federal law (Section 441(d) of the 1996 welfare act), which permits states to extend benefits to undocumented immigrants under certain conditions. The bill does not create new benefits but extends existing Medicaid access to this group, contingent on federal approval and system readiness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrants meeting eligibility criteria, increasing healthcare access and aligning with coverage expansion indicators.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly authorizes Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants meeting eligibility, directly providing immigrant services per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2003: Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies engaging in government contracts or business operations infringing on data privacy of individuals for purpose of determining immigration status.

This New Jersey bill prohibits state pension and annuity funds from investing in companies that collect or manipulate personal data - without a warrant or court order - to determine immigration status or citizenship. It requires the State Investment Council to identify such companies using an independent privacy firm, then divest funds from them by January 1 of the second year after the bill takes effect, while following standard investment practices. The Council must submit annual reports detailing divested investments and progress to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also shields officials from legal liability for divestment decisions made under its requirements.

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRestricts state investments in companies collecting data without warrant for immigration status, protecting immigrant privacy and limiting data misuse for enforcement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits investments in companies violating data privacy for immigration purposes, directly aligning with data privacy protection in technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Data Privacy

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3024: Restricts certain affordable housing eligibility to certain State residents and certain individuals with employment history in the State.

This bill restricts eligibility for new affordable housing units and the state's rental assistance program to households where at least one member has either lived in New Jersey for two consecutive years or worked in the state 35+ hours per week for two consecutive years. It applies to new contractual guarantees or deed restrictions for low/moderate-income housing and updates the state rental assistance program to require these same residency or work history criteria. The key mechanism requires housing providers and the state program to verify these specific residency or employment requirements at the time of application. This affects new affordable housing developments and applicants for state rental aid, but does not change existing housing or programs.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts affordable housing eligibility to specific residents/workers, limiting access to housing assistance programs per bill's residency/work history requirements.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts affordable housing eligibility to 2-year residency/work history, disproportionately affecting new immigrants lacking such history and restricting access to state housing services.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 23: Expresses support for "Equal Representation Act."

This resolution (ACR 23) expresses the New Jersey Legislature's support for H.R. 7109, the "Equal Representation Act," a federal bill that would require a citizenship question on the U.S. census and change how congressional seats and electoral votes are apportioned. The proposed bill aims to base representation on the U.S. citizen population only, rather than the current method that counts all residents - including noncitizens like undocumented immigrants. Currently, census data used for apportionment includes all people living in the U.S., which supporters argue dilutes representation for citizens in areas with larger noncitizen populations. The resolution itself has no legal effect but formally urges the U.S. Senate to pass H.R. 7109, which the House approved in May 2024.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationSupports federal bill excluding noncitizens from census apportionment, reducing immigrant political influence and potential state resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 308: "Illegal Alien Healthcare Transparency Act"; requires health care facilities to inquire and report on immigration status of patients and to report certain costs of care.

This bill requires all licensed health care facilities in New Jersey to ask patients about their immigration status and submit monthly, anonymized reports to the Department of Health on the aggregate costs of care provided to individuals defined as "illegal aliens" (those unable to prove lawful presence). Facilities must not collect personal identifying information, and reports will be posted publicly online. Patients who knowingly provide false immigration status information face a fourth-degree crime penalty. The law directly affects health care providers through reporting duties and patients through potential penalties for misrepresentation.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates healthcare facilities to inquire about immigration status and report costs for 'illegal aliens,' restricting access to services and using enforcement-focused terminology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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