Make the Road New Jersey Responds to New NJ AG Directive Limiting State Involvement with Immigration Enforcement

November 29, 2018 (Elizabeth, NJ): In response to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal’s new “Immigrant Trust Directive,” Make the Road New Jersey, the grassroots immigrant rights organization, issued the following statements:

“The new directive is a groundbreaking effort to ensure New Jersey law enforcement builds trust with immigrant communities rather than use state taxpayer dollars to further the federal administration’s attempts to detain and deport immigrants and separate our families. New Jersey is again leading the way to fight back against cruel and inhumane attacks on immigrant communities and to make our state a more fair and welcoming place for all residents. Make the Road New Jersey is grateful to the Attorney General and his team for their extraordinary leadership on this new policy directive,” said Sara Cullinane, Director, Make the Road New Jersey.

“For years now, my family and I have lived with the fear that a simple traffic stop or any interaction with the local police could lead to deportation. As ICE arrests mothers and fathers across New Jersey at home in the middle of the night, when they are dropping their kids off at school or seeking justice in the courts, it is such a relief to know that our local New Jersey law enforcement agents will no longer do the work of immigration enforcement. We thank Attorney General Gurbir Grewal for his leadership in making New Jersey a more fair and welcoming state for all,” said Olga Armas, Make the Road New Jersey member.

Some key components of the new Immigrant Trust Directive include:

–       Prohibitions on when law enforcement can inquire about an individual’s immigration status

–       Strict limitations on when local law enforcement can notify federal immigration agents regarding community members in their custody or continue to detain individuals for immigration agents

–       Prohibitions on entering, renewing, or extending 287(g) contracts which essentially deputize local law enforcement agents to do the work of immigration enforcement

–       Limitations on when and how immigration enforcement agents can enter local jails and clear advisals for individuals in custody regarding their rights with regard to immigration

–       Strict prohibitions on local law enforcement assisting immigration agents in carrying out civil immigration enforcement efforts

–       Guidelines for how to respond to and support requests from immigrant victims of crime who cooperate with law enforcement and seek protection regarding their immigration status

Make the Road New Jersey builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, legal services, policy innovation and transformative education.