Somerset, NJ - Today, the Assembly Public Safety & Preparedness Committee, which I chair, took an essential first step in defending our immigrant communities. Today, the Committee advanced an immigration bill package, comprising a bill to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive, a bill to limit the collection of information such as citizenship status, place of birth, Social Security number, or taxpayer ID to situations where it is necessary to determine eligibility for or to administer a public service, and a bill require law enforcement officers including federal officers operating in New Jersey to reveal their facial identities while performing official duties. The first two were pocket vetoed by Governor Murphy on his last day in office.

As I said during the meeting, we are seeing a war by the Federal Government against our immigrant communities. We have seen families ripped apart, children abducted and sent across state lines, and law-abiding citizens unjustly detained, in violation of the laws of this country. This war is coming to New Jersey, and as in any war, we have to prepare. It is the duty of legislators and public officials to ensure that when our communities need us as they do now, we answer the call.

I look forward to casting a strong vote in favor of these bills on the Assembly floor once the legislative process gets to that point. But let me be clear, more will have to be done, the fight to defend our communities against this lawless Federal Government will continue. I have and will continue to stand strongly with our immigrant communities. It is my duty as your Assemblymember to use my platform and my office to defend all of my constituents, and I will continue do so, even against the Federal Government.