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Emigration and immigration

New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive Under Fire in Gubernatorial Election

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the New Jersey gubernatorial election heats up, the future of the Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD) hangs in the balance. Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli has vowed to eliminate the policy, which safeguards immigrants from deportation by restricting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill has declined to commit to keeping the directive, despite praising its benefits. In Princeton, a city with a troubled history of treating immigrant populations, advocates are fighting to preserve the ITD and its successor, the Immigrant Trust Act (ITA), which aims to codify its guidelines into state law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD) is a 2018 policy ensuring that immigrants feel safe reporting crimes to local police without fear of deportation.
  • Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has vowed to eliminate the ITD, while Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill has declined to commit to keeping the directive.
  • The ITD restricts cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, but has encountered obstacles in its implementation.
  • The Immigrant Trust Act (ITA), proposed in September 2024, aims to codify the guidelines of the ITD into state law and broaden its scope.
  • Advocate Asma Elhuni points to Hoboken, N.J., as an example of a city facing repercussions due to its "sanctuary city" protections for undocumented migrants.
  • Immigration lawyer Ryan Lilienthal notes that immigrants in Princeton have long had a troubled perception of the police, and that crimes against undocumented immigrants have developed into a general distrust of authorities among immigrant communities.
  • At least 15 people have been detained in Princeton by federal immigration authorities this year.
  • Advocate Molly Linhorst argues that several loopholes in the state's current implementation of the ITD allow police officers to assist ICE.
  • The pending ITA has substantial community support, but faces inaction in the Democratic state legislature.

Statistics:

  • 2018: The Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD) was issued by New Jersey's Attorney General to ensure that immigrants feel safe reporting crimes to local police without fear of deportation.
  • 2024: The Immigrant Trust Act (ITA) was proposed to codify the guidelines of the ITD into state law.
  • 2020: At least 15 people have been detained in Princeton by federal immigration authorities this year.
  • 5-10 percentage points: Most independent polls place Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill ahead of Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli by.

Sources:

  • The New Jersey Governor's Debate (Sept. 22)
  • Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics (Oct. 22)
  • The Daily Princetonian (interviews with Ryan Lilienthal and Asma Elhuni)
  • The American Civil Liberties Union (statement from Molly Linhorst)
  • The 'Prince' (interviews with Matthew Solovay and Asma Elhuni)

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