Immigration in New Jersey

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

A 153: Prohibits municipal ordinance to create sanctuary city; establishes State and local employee ethics violation upon noncompliance with federal immigration enforcement request.

This bill prohibits New Jersey municipalities from passing ordinances that require local officials to refuse cooperation with federal immigration enforcement requests. It directly affects municipal and county governing bodies, making such policies void and imposing penalties (including fines or loss of office) on officials who vote to adopt them. The bill also requires local employees to comply with federal immigration requests and provides state defense for employees acting in good faith during such cooperation. Key provisions include banning "sanctuary city" policies and establishing legal protections for local officials who follow federal immigration enforcement requests.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 330: "Public Charge Transparency Act"; requires State entities which provide government assistance to inquire and record beneficiary's citizenship or immigration status and report cost of government assistance to illegal aliens.

This bill requires New Jersey state and local agencies that provide government assistance (like food, healthcare, housing, or utilities) to ask beneficiaries about their citizenship or immigration status and document it. Agencies must submit monthly, aggregated reports to the Department of Health showing the cost of assistance provided to individuals who cannot prove lawful presence (defined as "illegal aliens" under the bill), with all data made publicly available online. It mandates that applicants provide proof of status to receive aid and prohibits false statements about immigration status, with violations punishable as a fourth-degree crime. The bill directly affects agencies receiving state funding and people applying for state-provided benefits.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Sanctuary Policies

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

A 570: Eliminates eligibility of certain students including undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria to receive State student financial aid or to qualify for in-State tuition at public institutions of higher education.

This bill repeals New Jersey laws that allowed certain undocumented students meeting specific criteria to qualify for in-state tuition and state financial aid at public colleges. It eliminates the requirement that students must have attended a New Jersey high school for three or more years, graduated from a New Jersey high school (or equivalent), and enrolled as an entering student or currently enrolled as of a specified date. The bill also removes the requirement for undocumented students to file an affidavit about applying for legal immigration status. This change directly affects undocumented students who previously met these criteria but no longer qualifies them for these benefits. Provisions for students with T/U visas or dependents of H-1B/O-1/O-2 visa holders remain unchanged.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers

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

AR 68: Urges Congress to pass "Afghan Adjustment Act."

This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 68) urges Congress to pass the bipartisan "Afghan Adjustment Act." It directly addresses Afghan allies who helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan, many of whom entered the U.S. under temporary humanitarian parole after the 2021 withdrawal but lack a path to permanent legal status. The resolution requests Congress enact legislation that would allow these evacuees to apply for permanent residency, similar to past laws for Cuban, Southeast Asian, and Iraqi allies. It does not create new law but formally asks federal lawmakers to advance this specific bill. The resolution cites 76,000 Afghans currently in temporary status as the key group affected.

Topics ✓ Immigration

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 8, 2026

A 4492: "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act"; provides certain protections to residential tenants and codifies certain warranty of habitability protections.

The "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act" (A4492) prohibits landlords in New Jersey from threatening to disclose or disclosing a tenant’s immigration or citizenship status to force them out of housing, or from using that status as a basis for eviction. It bans evictions solely or partially tied to immigration status and allows tenants to sue for up to $2,000 per violation, plus damages and legal fees. The bill also blocks courts from inquiring into a tenant’s immigration status during housing rights cases, except in limited circumstances like federal program compliance. It directly affects residential tenants (particularly immigrant communities) and landlords, while clarifying that landlords may still request standard financial or identity verification for legitimate rental purposes.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Citizenship & Naturalization

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

AR 92: Memorializes the President and Congress to pass and enforce immigration reform to protect the nation.

This is a symbolic resolution (not a bill), introduced by the New Jersey Assembly. It requests Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform focused on border security and removing undocumented immigrants, citing two Ocean County crimes involving undocumented individuals from Mexico. The resolution specifically asks Congress to expedite removals, increase penalties for smuggling and armed offenses, allow military use for border security, and penalize countries refusing to accept deported nationals. It has no legal force and is solely a statement urging federal action; it was introduced to the Assembly committee on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Border Security Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3530: "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act"; provides certain protections to residential tenants and codifies certain warranty of habitability protections.

S 3530, the "Immigrant Tenant Protection Act," protects residential tenants in New Jersey from discrimination based on immigration status. It prohibits landlords from threatening to report a tenant’s immigration status, using it as a reason to evict, or requiring social security numbers/ID as a condition for tenancy. Tenants can sue landlords for violations and recover damages up to $2,000 per violation, plus attorney fees. The bill also prevents courts from inquiring into a tenant’s immigration status during housing rights cases unless directly relevant to the tenant’s claims.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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

A 744: "New Jersey Laken Riley Act;" establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.

The New Jersey Laken Riley Act requires law enforcement to check the immigration status of non-citizens arrested for specific serious crimes - including violent offenses, certain traffic violations causing injury, or federal "aggravated felonies." If confirmed as unlawfully present, these individuals face a legal presumption of pretrial detention, overriding the state's bail reform law. The bill mandates compliance with federal immigration detainer requests and repeals a prior law prohibiting local jails from holding immigrants for federal authorities. It also rescinds New Jersey's "Immigrant Trust Directive," aligning state procedures with federal immigration enforcement priorities.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

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

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

ACR 106: Strongly condemns decision of President Trump to permit immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals.

New Jersey's ACR 106 is a formal statement condemning President Trump's 2025 decision to end federal protections preventing immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, and shelters. The resolution states this policy reversal - reversing Biden-era guidance that had barred ICE actions in these areas - undermines community trust and deters immigrants from accessing essential services. It does not change laws but sends a formal disapproval to the White House, Homeland Security, and New Jersey's congressional delegation. The resolution reaffirms New Jersey's commitment to equal access to healthcare, education, and community resources for all residents, regardless of immigration status.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 179: Prohibits release of illegal immigrants from correctional facilities.

This New Jersey bill (A 179) requires correctional facilities to determine if inmates are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the U.S. If an inmate is not a citizen or lacks legal status, the facility cannot release them to the general public - only to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials. Facilities must document citizenship status and legal presence for all inmates, and if they cannot verify it, they must assume the inmate is unlawfully present. Violations carry civil penalties set by the Corrections Commissioner. The bill directly affects correctional facilities and non-citizen inmates deemed unlawfully present in the U.S.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

All immigration bills