A bill that would bar state, county and local facilities from entering into or renewing contracts with federal agencies to detain undocumented immigrants is headed to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk after clearing votes in both chambers Thursday.
The State Senate advanced the bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) and State Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair), in a 23-15 vote that fell along party lines. Two Democrats, State Sens. Dawn Addiego (D-Evesham) and Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen) did not vote on the measure.
It cleared the Assembly on Monday in another party-line vote.
“The legislature’s swift passage of the anti-detention bill this week demands urgency from the Governor’s office to sign it into law,” New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice Executive Director Amy Torres said. “This law would position New Jersey as a national leader, joining only three other states who have turned their back on ICE’s cruelty-for-profit agreements.”
If Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bill, New Jersey would become the fifth state to ban such agreements, which are already waning in New Jersey.
Officials in Essex County in late April said they were terminating their contract with ICE, the federal agency charged with deporting undocumented immigrants and those who overstay their visas.
Hudson County’s Democratic leaders, ones that had long opposed activist calls to end their lucrative contract to house ICE detainees, quickly followed suit, signaling willingness to end their agreement with the federal agency.
Movement in Bergen County has been slower, and that county’s indefinite contract with ICE won’t be impacted by the bill, which does not direct governments to end existing contracts.
A January executive order issued by President Joe Biden banned the Department of Justice from entering into such agreements.
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