Landmark bill makes New Jersey among the first states to bar expansion and renewal of immigration detention
Gov. Murphy signed historic legislation into law that makes New Jersey among the first states to prohibit state and local governments and private corrections companies from entering into new, renewed, or expanded immigration detention contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The legislation does not terminate existing contracts but will prevent the long-term growth of detention space in New Jersey.
The legislation, S3361/A5207, sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, takes effect immediately.
ACLU-NJ Policy Director Sarah Fajardo made the following statement:
“For far too long, New Jersey has enabled and profited from ICE’s cruel immigration detention system that tears apart families and communities. With the signing of this bill, New Jersey is taking a first step towards ending its complicity in the mass detention of noncitizens.
“We thank Gov. Murphy, Sen. Weinberg, Assemblyman Johnson, and all the cosponsors of this bill for acknowledging that for everyone in our state to thrive, we must end our role in detaining our friends, loved ones, and neighbors who are immigrants. For years, community members and advocates have fought to stop placing members of our community in cages, and New Jersey took action to ensure that people are protected not just by words, but by laws.”