Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 5187: Clarifies MVC voter registration prompts for certain persons.

This bill amends New Jersey law to prohibit the Motor Vehicle Commission from asking non-citizens if they wish to register to vote. It allows the state to automatically register voters who provide proof of citizenship when applying for a REAL ID license or identification card, while giving these individuals the option to decline. The law ensures that the Motor Vehicle Commission cannot request citizenship documents solely for voter registration purposes and does not change the existing requirements for who can vote.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4138: Prohibits State's law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement unless action is premised upon valid judicial warrant.

This New Jersey bill prohibits state law enforcement officers from participating in civil immigration enforcement operations unless a valid judicial warrant is issued. The legislation defines a judicial warrant as one based on probable cause and issued by a federal or state judge, while a law enforcement officer is anyone with the power to arrest or convict offenders. To ensure compliance, the Attorney General must create guidelines that direct how these restrictions are implemented. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

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

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 4911: Establishes protections for immigrant students and their families.

This bill requires New Jersey public schools to adopt a policy that restricts their interaction with federal immigration authorities. Specifically, it prohibits schools from sharing student records regarding immigration status, allowing federal agents on school property, or assisting in civil immigration investigations. The law distinguishes between civil warrants, which schools must not honor, and judicial warrants issued by a judge, which schools may still comply with. School districts have 180 days to implement these rules, which aim to prevent the use of school resources for immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics School Safety Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3813: Prohibits immigration enforcement on certain public lands; appropriates funds.

This bill prohibits the use of publicly owned or controlled lands in New Jersey, such as parking lots, vacant lots, and garages, as staging areas or processing locations for federal immigration enforcement. It directly affects municipalities, counties, and state agencies by restricting how their property can be utilized for immigration operations while allowing existing leases to continue. The legislation requires officials to install signage on affected properties and provides free standardized signs for eligible private landowners like businesses and nonprofits to display similar restrictions. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Community Affairs to publish online information about the rights of tenants and employees regarding federal immigration authority entry on public property.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3792: Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for immigrants and persons who are not United States citizens.

This bill expands New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly include immigration status and citizenship status as protected categories, ensuring immigrants and non-citizens receive the same legal protections against discrimination as current residents. The legislation amends existing state statutes to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on these statuses, while allowing distinctions only when required by federal law or national interest. By updating legal definitions and declarations within the state's anti-discrimination framework, the bill aims to provide clearer legal grounds for individuals to seek remedies for discrimination without needing to prove citizenship.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3724: Authorizes Chief Administrator of MVC to waive fee for non-driver identification card if applicant submits proof of enrollment in public assistance or social service program.

This bill allows the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to waive fees for non-driver identification cards when applicants provide proof of enrollment in public assistance or social service programs. The law defines eligible programs to include state and local assistance such as SNAP, Work First New Jersey, and Medicaid. Applicants must submit documentation of their enrollment at the time of application to qualify for the fee waiver. The amendment modifies existing statutes to expand fee waiver eligibility beyond the current provision for homeless individuals.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Medicaid Driver Licenses & IDs

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

A 109: Requires MVC to offer driver's license knowledge test in Italian.

Bill A 109 requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to offer the driver's license knowledge test in Italian, along with the two other most commonly spoken non-English languages in the state. This amendment to state law (R.S.39:3-10) directly affects applicants for driver's licenses who speak Italian or the other designated languages. The key provision mandates the MVC to periodically verify the top three non-English languages and provide testing in those languages, ensuring accessibility for a broader range of applicants.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 25, 2026

A 4071: Codifies AG directive, "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities."

This bill codifies New Jersey's Attorney General's "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities" directive into law. It directly affects all New Jersey state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and officers by prohibiting them from: (1) stopping or detaining people based solely on immigration status, (2) asking about immigration status except during specific criminal investigations, and (3) sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes. The law clarifies that officers' primary duty is enforcing state criminal laws, not federal immigration law, and emphasizes that this does not prevent enforcing state criminal laws. The goal is to build trust in immigrant communities and ensure law enforcement resources focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

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

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

A 4260: Requires expunged records to be accessible for immigration purposes.

This bill requires New Jersey courts and agencies to make expunged criminal records available to individuals upon request for immigration or naturalization purposes. It directly affects noncitizens in New Jersey who have had criminal convictions expunged and need these records for U.S. immigration applications or citizenship processes. Under the bill, if a person with an expungement order requests records for immigration matters, the court or designated agency must provide the records to them or their representative, rather than stating "no record exists." This change ensures expunged records remain accessible for federal immigration requirements without requiring the individual to seek additional legal action.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Sub-Topics Courts Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Immigrant Services

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

A 1996: Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for immigrants and persons who are not United States citizens.

This New Jersey bill amends the Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect immigrants and non-citizens from discrimination based on their immigration status or citizenship status. It adds these categories to the list of protected characteristics in employment, housing, and public accommodations, alongside existing protections for race, gender, disability, and other factors. The law ensures individuals cannot be denied jobs, housing, or services due to their immigration or citizenship status, and clarifies that discrimination against people for these reasons harms both individuals and the state. This expands existing anti-discrimination law to directly address barriers faced by immigrant communities.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

All immigration bills