Immigration (Refugees & Asylum)

This Assembly Resolution (AR 67) expresses New Jersey's support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees residing in the state. It urges the federal government to continue military and economic aid to Ukraine, unfreeze funding for refugee programs (including services like language training and job assistance), and pursue a negotiated peace that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty. The resolution directly affects Ukrainian refugees in New Jersey who rely on federal refugee support programs, which faced funding cuts under a 2025 executive order. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally calls for federal action.

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.

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.

This bill establishes a permanent Office of New Americans within New Jersey's Department of Human Services. It directly serves immigrants, refugees, and their families - over two million people representing nearly a quarter of the state's population - by providing refugee resettlement services, legal assistance, health screenings, and workforce development programs. The office will act as a central hub for coordinating state services, offering technical assistance to other agencies, and ensuring programs are culturally responsive. The Director, appointed by the Human Services Commissioner, will lead these efforts with staff prioritizing lived experience in immigrant communities. The bill formalizes existing initiatives from Executive Order 74 (2019) to improve access to resources and build trust between immigrant communities and state government.