The New Jersey Legislature is encountering challenges in advancing the “Immigrant Trust Act,” a bill designed to prevent public institutions, such as government offices and hospitals, from sharing residents’ immigration status information with the federal government. Introduced by Assemblywoman Ellen Park and others in September of last year, the bill has yet to be discussed in a subcommittee, even though nearly five months have passed since its introduction.
The proposed law would prohibit state, county, and local government agencies, as well as public institutions such as schools, hospitals, libraries, and shelters, from disclosing residents’ immigration status to federal immigration authorities without a warrant. This legislation comes in response to the expanded crackdown on illegal immigrants and deportations under the Trump administration, which has raised concerns among immigrant advocacy groups. These groups are urging New Jersey lawmakers to pass protections to safeguard immigrants’ personal information and ensure greater access to local public services.
However, progress on the Immigrant Trust Act has been slow, primarily due to a passive stance from the Democratic leadership, which holds the majority in the state legislature. Senate Speaker Nick Scutari stated, “We haven’t considered the bill yet. It’s not time to talk about it specifically yet,” while House Speaker Greg Coughlin declined to comment. Some worry that if the bill becomes law, it could attract legal challenges from the Trump administration, which has already filed a lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago over their immigrant protection laws.
Immigrant advocates have voiced their frustration with the lack of progress. The New Jersey Immigrant Justice Coalition expressed disappointment, saying, “We are disappointed that there has been no progress since the bill was introduced,” while Make the Road New Jersey emphasized that “New Jersey is a state made up of immigrants, and if we do not take strong protective measures immediately, not only immigrants but the entire state will suffer.”
Assemblywoman Ellen Park, who introduced the bill, remains hopeful, stating, “We are aiming to pass the bill in the first half of this year” and mentioned that efforts are underway to review the bill’s details and gain support from fellow legislators. Immigrant advocates stress the importance of the legislation, noting that undocumented immigrants may avoid using medical facilities, libraries, shelters, and other public services for fear their immigration status will be disclosed, potentially putting them at risk of deportation. They argue that the bill is crucial to protecting immigrants’ personal information and expanding access to vital local services.