Far too many immigrant New Jerseyans and their families continue to that a school drop-off, a visit to an emergency room, or a routine interaction with law enforcement will result in deportation and separation from their loved ones. New Jersey has taken essential steps already: both the Immigrant Trust Directive and our ban on ICE detention contracts help mitigate our role in the cruelest facets of the federal immigration agenda. But more must be done to eliminate New Jersey's facilitation of detention and deportation.

That's why I am proud to see the Values Act introduced (A1986/S512). The Values Act codifies the best parts of the Immigrant Trust Directive, then pairs that with community learnings to strengthen those initial protections and lay the groundwork for similar safeguards when New Jerseyans interact with other state and local agencies.

I urge you to affirm your commitment to our communities by sponsoring and supporting the Values Act. A1986/S512 willl:

•    Prevent local resources intended to support community priorities from being used in federal immigration enforcement. 
•    Ensure that people feel safer seeking public services by protecting personal information related to immigration status and limiting the data that public agencies can collect (including hospitals, libraries, shelters, and public schools). The Values Act would establish model policies that preclude disclosure of personal information and limit collaboration with immigration enforcement.
•    Prohibit state and local law enforcement from voluntarily collaborating with federal immigration authorities to enforce immigration law and build accountability through more robust reporting requirements. 
•    Eliminate carve-outs in the Immigrant Trust Directive that exclude immigrants entangled in the criminal legal system from the Directive’s protections. These carve-outs disproportionately harm Black and brown New Jerseyans due to racial disparities present throughout New Jersey’s criminal legal system – including in policing and prosecution.  
•    Remove harmful terms like "alien" from State language.

We must stand by our values. In a state where our motto is Liberty and Opportunity, we must abide by our values and ensure everyone feels free to enroll in the programs they are eligible for and pursue the opportunities that support them and their family. To build a truly fair and welcoming New Jersey for all people – regardless of immigration status – the Values Act must pass.