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-NJ Responds to Reports of DHS Violating Judicial Orders in New Jersey

The revelation that the Department of Homeland Security violated dozens of judicial orders in New Jersey is shamefully unsurprising.
Press Release
Press Release ACLU of New Jersey

ACLU-NJ Responds to Assembly Committee Passage of Immigrant Protection Bills

It is imperative that we build on the state’s commitment to creating a fair and welcoming community for everyone who calls New Jersey home.
Press Release
Press Release ACLU of New Jersey

ACLU-NJ Statement on Gov. Sherrill’s Executive Order Limiting Use of State Property for Federal Immigration Enforcement

New Jersey must do everything in its power to keep families safe and defend democracy, and that includes immediate passage of legislation protecting our residents from ICE.
News & Commentary
delaney hall rally

Cruelty at Delaney Hall Is Yet More Proof of the Trump Administration’s Horrific Immigration Agenda

Until all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers across the country are closed, and every family is reunited, we must continue to advocate for the end of immigration detention.
Court Case
Nov 05, 2025

State v. Garcia-Moronta & State v. Reyes-Rodriguez

Amicus briefs arguing that the delay in trying a defendant caused by their detention by ICE or deportation should count against the State in a speedy trial analysis when the State has failed to take reasonable steps to effectuate the defendant’s appearance for their criminal proceedings.
Court Case
Oct 28, 2025

U.S. v. Newark

Amicus brief in support of the power of the cities of Newark, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Paterson to implement community trust policies that limit voluntary collaboration between municipal agencies and federal immigration enforcement.
Court Case
Apr 22, 2025

Student Doe #1, et al v. Noem, et al

Complaint filed on behalf of Rutgers students who had their F-1 student immigration status effectively terminated.
Court Case
Aug 08, 2024

El Comité de Apoyo a los Trabajadores Agrícolas (CATA) v Platkin

Affirmative litigation challenging the constitutionality of excluding New Jersey farmworkers from equal wage and overtime pay.