Immigrants' Rights

Regardless of a person’s country of origin, everyone in the United States has constitutional rights. Yet xenophobia and structural inequities mean the rights of immigrants are disproportionately violated.

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Regardless of a person’s country of origin, everyone in the United States has constitutional rights. Yet xenophobia and structural inequities mean the rights of immigrants are disproportionately violated.

Expanding the rights of immigrants is a top strategic priority of the ACLU-NJ, and we advocate on all fronts: litigation, legislation, public outreach, and organizing.

We have driven powerful advocacy to fight immigration detention, to make driver’s licenses accessible for all New Jerseyans, and to end state and local law enforcement’s participation in federal detentions and deportation actions, among other work.

The Latest

Press Release
Press Release ACLU of New Jersey

Broad New Jersey Coalition Requests to Join as Friend of the Court in Support of Limiting Use of State Property for Federal Civil Immigration Enforcement

Executive Order 12 is an appropriate and constitutional response to ICE's escalating and violent immigration enforcement tactics.
Issue Areas: Immigration Enforcement & Detention, Immigrants' Rights
Court Cases: United States v. New Jersey
News & Commentary
Two protest signs are held up against a clear blue sky. One sign reads, "NJ SAYS NO DICE TO ICE!" The other sign says, "Welcome the Stranger - Pope Francis." A construction vehicle and utility wires are visible in the background.

May Day Strong

For more than century, May Day has inspired action and mobilization for social justice movements.
Press Release
Press Release ACLU of New Jersey

Over 120 Civil Society Groups Issue Travel Advisory for U.S. Ahead of FIFA World Cup

More than 120 civil society groups issued a travel advisory warning that people traveling for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup could be at risk of serious rights violations
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights, Racial & Economic Justice
News & Commentary
Immigrantpower

Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe in the Place They Call Home

Immigrants make our country more vibrant and stronger. The United States would not be the country it is without immigrant communities and nor would New Jersey. 
Campaign
Aug 2025

Advancing Immigrants’ Rights

We must build a fair and welcoming state for all people – regardless of immigration status. It’s past time for New Jersey to end its participation in the federal detention and deportation system, as states like Connecticut and California have done. New Jersey must pass the Immigrant Trust Act.
Campaign
Sep 2024

Advancing Immigrants’ Rights

We must build a fair and welcoming state for all people – regardless of immigration status. It’s past time for New Jersey to end its participation in the federal detention and deportation system, as states like Connecticut and California have done. New Jersey must pass the Immigrant Trust Act.
Campaign
Aug 2025

COVID-19: What It Means For Your Rights

We at the ACLU of New Jersey are monitoring to make sure that government actions reflect public health and scientific evidence – not fear. And we’re monitoring to make sure that our rights – and in particular, the rights of the most vulnerable – remain intact.