The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-NJ Executive Director Amol Sinha:
“The Laken Riley Act exploits a tragedy to violate the Constitution. It requires detention without due process of people merely accused of certain criminal offenses, regardless of whether they were charged or convicted. The bill will separate people from their families and communities while enriching the private prison industry and laying the groundwork for President Trump’s extreme mass deportation agenda. By passing this legislation, Congress is perpetuating racism and xenophobia, and depriving people of their fundamental constitutional rights.
“This bill does nothing to make our country safer. Here in New Jersey, we know that public safety depends on building strong communities and trust in public institutions, not attacking civil rights and liberties. Lawmakers should be reforming our immigration laws and policies with commonsense approaches that honor the constitutional rights of everyone who calls our country home.
“I commend our New Jersey senators and representatives who voted no on this bill – including Senator Booker, Senator Kim, Congressman Conaway, Congresswoman McIver, Congressman Menendez, Congressman Norcross, Congressman Pallone Jr., Congresswoman Pou, Congresswoman Sherrill, and Congresswoman Watson Coleman – and thank them for their commitment to protecting the rights of immigrant communities in our state and across the country.”
