Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 26, 2026

S 4523: Requires Secretary of State and Chief Administrator of MVC to conduct audit of certain voter registrations and annual audits thereafter; requires proof of citizenship for voter registration at MVC.

This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to ask for proof of citizenship from anyone applying for a driver's license or state ID card. If an applicant provides documentation proving they are a U.S. citizen and is not already on the voter rolls, their information will be automatically sent to local election officials to register them to vote. The law also mandates that the Secretary of State and the MVC conduct annual audits of these voter registrations. Applicants retain the right to decline automatic voter registration, and the bill does not change the existing rules for who is eligible to vote in the state.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 28, 2026

A 5144: Requires State Police to develop public database of criminally charged or convicted undocumented immigrants.

This bill, known as the "Right to Know Act," mandates that the New Jersey State Police create a public database listing undocumented immigrants who have been criminally charged or convicted. The list would specifically include individuals currently held in state, county, or municipal correctional facilities who lack valid legal documentation to be in the United States. For each person included, the database would display their photograph, the specific crime they are charged with or convicted of, and the location and date of their release from custody. The legislation requires the State Police to maintain this publicly accessible list immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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

A 5005: Prohibits undocumented student from receiving Tuition Aid Grant and Summer Tuition Aid Grant.

This bill prohibits undocumented students in New Jersey from receiving the State Tuition Aid Grant and Summer Tuition Aid Grant. While it maintains eligibility for other financial aid programs permitted by federal law, it specifically bars access to these two state-funded grants for students without lawful immigration status. The legislation requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and the Secretary of Higher Education to update application procedures to verify citizenship or eligible noncitizen status before awarding these specific grants.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs

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 21, 2026

S 4132: Clarifies MVC voter registration prompts for certain persons.

This bill amends New Jersey law to prohibit the Motor Vehicle Commission from prompting non-citizens to register to vote during driver's license or ID applications. It establishes a system where the MVC automatically shares the contact and citizenship information of applicants who provide proof of U.S. citizenship with the state election office, provided those individuals are not already registered. Once the election office verifies eligibility, it registers the person to vote and sends a notice allowing them to decline or affiliate with a political party. The legislation explicitly states that the MVC cannot request citizenship documents solely for voter registration purposes and that existing voter registration rules remain unchanged.

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 · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5004: Requires MVC to verify certain information concerning commercial learner's permit and commercial driver license applicants and holders to ensure persons illegally in the State do not obtain or hold such permits and licenses.

This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to verify the immigration status and criminal history of applicants and holders of commercial learner's permits and commercial driver licenses. Under the new rules, the commission must check if individuals are legally in the United States using a federal system and deny permits to those who are not eligible or are undocumented. Additionally, current license holders must undergo fingerprinting and background checks, with their information shared with state police and federal authorities if they have outstanding arrest warrants or are found to be in the country illegally. The bill also mandates that the commission downgrade the licenses of any current holders who fail these eligibility checks.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3747: Requires State Police to develop public database of criminally charged or convicted undocumented immigrants.

This bill, known as the Right to Know Act, requires New Jersey State Police to create and maintain a public database of undocumented immigrants who have been criminally charged or convicted and are currently in state, county, or municipal correctional facilities. The database would include each person's photograph, the specific crime they were charged with or convicted of, and the location and date of their release from custody. The legislation directly affects undocumented immigrants in the state's correctional system and the public who would have access to this information. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and aims to increase transparency regarding criminal justice involvement among undocumented individuals in New Jersey.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Policing 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

All immigration bills