ACLU-NJ Responds to New Jersey Legislature’s Advancement of Critical Social Justice Legislation 

NEWARK – Following the New Jersey Legislature’s passage of the immigrant protection bills S3522/A4070 and S3521/A4071 today, ACLU-NJ Campaign Strategist Ami Kachalia released the following statement:

“We are grateful that these critical bills that will cement long overdue protections for immigrant New Jerseyans are headed to Gov. Sherrill’s desk to be signed into law. The harms inflicted by federal immigration enforcement and the rampant unconsented collection and distribution of personal information are real and have left an indelible mark on our families, friends, neighbors, and all New Jerseyans. As we witness escalating attacks on immigrant communities across the country, we are proud that our state is taking bold action to ensure privacy protections for residents. We look forward to working with lawmakers to continue advancing legislation that better protects the constitutional rights of all New Jerseyans, including the codification of a stronger version of the Immigrant Trust Directive that includes essential due process protections.

“Thank you to Senators Johnson, McKeon, Mukherji, Ruiz, Timberlake, and Zwicker, and Assemblymembers Greenwald, Park, Quijano, Reynolds-Jackson, and Rodriguez for their leadership in sponsoring these bills and protecting immigrant communities. We urge Gov. Sherrill to sign these bills into law to make our state stronger and safer – it is what New Jersey, and everyone, deserves.”

Following the New Jersey Assembly’s passage of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (A1715) today, ACLU-NJ Associate Director of Civic Engagement Alejandra Sorto released the following statement:

“Today’s passage of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey by the Assembly gets us closer toward increasing ballot access in the Garden State. As the federal Voting Rights Act faces further erosion and voter suppression efforts rise across the country, New Jersey must be a leader in protecting and expanding our voting rights by passing the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey – the strength of our democracy depends on it.

“Thank you to Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson for her leadership in advocating for the passage of this bill. We urge the Senate to take swift action to advance this legislation and help make voting freer and fairer for everyone in New Jersey.”

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The ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all since our founding in 1960. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and expand the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice for the people of New Jersey. We are a non-partisan organization that operates across political, legal, and cultural fronts to bring about change and build a more equitable society. www.aclu-nj.org