Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published by National Day Laborer Organizing Network on January 14, 2026.
New Jersey —The New Jersey Legislature on Monday passed three important bills to resist the brutality and violence of la Migra. We welcome the passage of these bills as a meaningful step forward in protecting immigrant communities across the country. While the legislation does not yet provide the full protections our communities deserve, it limits local involvement with ICE, strengthens data privacy and helps create safer community spaces.
Our grassroots organizations pushed hard to pass immigrant protections – to see the session and keep up with the news, please visit Radio Jornalera NJ.
This is an incredibly important moment for our community. These protections will allow people to feel safe returning to places they have avoided out of fear that their information could be shared. Communities can now be assured that institutions will no longer be able to ask for unnecessary and intrusive information about immigration status. Together we said we don’t want Poli-Migra in our state and we will fight to kick ICE out of NJ from the bottom up. Together we say Solo el Pueblo Salva al Pueblo.
General Information About the Bills
The Privacy Protection Act safeguards sensitive personal data from being shared with ICE; the Safe Communities Act ensures that schools, health centers, libraries, food pantries, and other essential services remain safe and accessible to all; and the last bill, Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities Act, codifies the Immigrant Trust Directive into law. Together, these victories make our communities safer from ICE and the violence it inflicts.
Statements from on the ground leaders defending our immigrants brothers and sisters:
“Led by undocumented community members, our coalition successfully passed three critical pieces of legislation through both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly that will directly protect immigrant communities across the state from violent ICE actions. This was not an easy win. Our community collectively demanded their humanity be recognized through testimony, legislative visits, petitions, phone banks and long days of organizing. This win proves what is possible when we organize, build coalitions, and exercise our collective power. We are strong, we are resilient and we will continue to lead the way for justice in our state until ICE is out of New Jersey. ¡Cuando Luchamos, Ganamos!” – Amanda Domínguez, New Labor
“These wins are the result of sustained grassroots organizing, starting with the Princeton resolution in New Jersey then we’ve seen it spread across municipalities and counties statewide. This is real progress for immigrant communities. There is no need for locations like libraries, schools or shelters to collect people’s immigration status. And finally people can worship in safety.The bills strengthen data privacy and community safety, even as dangerous carve-outs remain that undermine due process. We will keep fighting for full protections for Black and brown immigrants while claiming these new protections as an important victory.” – Asma Elhuni, Resistencia en Acción
“The passage of the immigrant protection bills in New Jersey brings a profound sigh of relief, affirming our commitment to justice and dignity for all. This milestone not only safeguards vulnerable communities but also strengthens the fabric of our diverse society.” – Dolly Hernandez, Casa Freehold
“The Immigrant Protection Package (IPP) gives our communities protection, and we’ll use it to keep our families safe. But a country that destabilizes our homelands, including Venezuela right now, and then criminalizes migration must be challenged on every front.” – Hector Yupanqui, Semilla Roja
“While codifying the Immigrant Trust Directive won’t stop ICE raids, it will make it more difficult for ICE to expand and scale up these raids by limiting the cooperation and deputizing of local cops.” – Ellen Whitt, DIRE Hotline Coordinator
“The passing of the NJ immigrant protection package is one step to protecting immigrant workers. There’s still much more work to do to hold ICE accountable and stop criminalization of our communities.” – Haydi Torres, Cosecha New Jersey
“Today’s vote advancing the immigration protection package in New Jersey marks a historic victory for immigrant communities in South Jersey, particularly in Atlantic County, where thousands of families live and work while facing daily uncertainty and fear. By setting clear guidelines that prevent local and state police from working with ICE, this legislation strengthens trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve and ensures public safety without criminalizing immigration status. Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez, El Pueblo Unido
“With just one signature from Governor Murphy, New Jersey can take a major step toward strengthening safety, trust, and dignity for every resident. The broad and powerful coalition behind these bills, including immigrant rights groups, unions, business leaders, faith leaders, and allies, shows what we have always known: New Jersey is stronger with immigrants. Upholding due process, public safety, and constitutional rights requires action, and these bills represent an essential and unskippable step forward,” said Itzel Hernandez, Immigrant Rights Organizer from the American Friends Service Committee.
“Humanity, justice and democracy are in grave danger across the country. Assaults, kidnappings and murders are terrorizing immigrant communities. But New Jersey has just taken a crucial step forward to shield immigrants from the increasing brutality and lawless violence of the federal government. We, the people, will keep organizing and fighting for our communities. We urge Gov. Murphy to fight with us — sign this legislation to protect New Jerseyans and to send a message across the country that we can and will do better,” said Jorge Torres, Organizing Director from NDLON.
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