We’re Writing Postcards to Protect Immigrants’ Rights – And You Can Too

Immigrant communities are under attack across the country, and that includes in New Jersey. From January to October 2025, more than six thousand New Jerseyans were detained by ICE and the state’s detention bed capacity quadrupled, with even more detention beds on the horizon.

We’re witnessing increasingly disturbing abuses of power and attempts to erode constitutional protections that are separating families, endangering our communities, and threatening democracy.

The time for action and leadership is now. That’s why ACLU of New Jersey supporters and coalition partners are launching our Write for Immigrants’ Rights initiative to send hundreds of postcards to Gov. Sherrill, urging her to support and sign critical legislation that will strengthen protections for immigrant communities in New Jersey.

Writing to your elected officials is one of the easiest ways to make your voice heard and communicate what you want lawmakers to do for their constituents. Gov. Sherrill has the power to make New Jersey safer for everyone who calls our state home, and the people are asking her to use that power to protect us.

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions about postcard writing parties and everything you need to know to host one of your own:

Yes! Anyone who is committed to advocating for immigrants’ rights and wants to make a difference can host a postcard party. We invite you to encourage family, friends, and neighbors to write a postcard to Gov. Sherrill alongside you, or host one of their own.

You can sign up to host a postcard writing party and receive your materials here.

No, you do not have to pay postage for the postcards. The ACLU-NJ will provide you with postcards which have prepaid postage; all you are responsible for is hosting your party and mailing them out.

We’ve drafted some sample language to inspire your postcard writing but feel empowered to make the message your own where possible:

Dear Gov. Sherrill,

Reckless ICE operations across the country are hurting children, families, and our communities. As Governor of New Jersey, you have the authority and responsibility to create policies that strengthen the safety of every person who calls our state home.

(Pick a message:)

• End voluntary law enforcement collaboration with ICE: I urge you to stand up for due process for all. Pass legislation that ensures law enforcement in New Jersey does not collaborate with ICE without a judicial warrant.

• Protect data privacy: I urge you to protect the data privacy of New Jerseyans. Establish policies that ensure that sensitive data – including automatic license plate reader data – is not shared with immigration enforcement agencies that will weaponize data against our communities.

• Fund legal representation: I urge you to allocate $20 million to the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative in the FY27 budget to ensure that detained New Jerseyans have access to high-quality legal representation during immigration proceedings.

• Push back against detention expansion: I urge you to push back against efforts by the federal administration to create more detention bed capacity in Roxbury, at Fort Dix, and other potential sites. More detention beds in New Jersey put more New Jersey families at risk.

We cannot sit idly by as our neighbors are killed, injured, and terrorized. I hope you'll act immediately and advance legislation to protect us all.

From,

[YOUR NAME] [ZIP CODE]

For those who may not be able to host a postcard party, you can print out our template at home to write and mail to Gov. Sherrill at: Office of the Governor, PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625-0001. Download the template here.

You can also send an email to your representatives here.

Together, we can build statewide momentum in support of immigrant communities and a more welcoming state for all.