On Monday, Aug. 11, the Municipality of Princeton, New Jersey, reached a resolution in support of the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (ITA).
The New Jersey Immigration Trust Act allows undocumented immigrants living in the state to have protection and ensures they have access to essential public services, without the fear of being deported.
This act limits state and local agencies’ ability to collect and share information about the immigration status of their residents with federal authorities.
Princeton has become the 14th municipality in the state to officially support the ITA, and join cities like Trenton, Paterson and Atlantic City.
“Princeton’s resolution supporting the passage of the Immigrant Trust Act truly embodies the spirit and identity of our community. This resolution is not merely an aspiration for the future, it reflects the value and commitments that have defined us for years and will continue to guide us moving forward,” shared Councilwoman Leticia Fraga during the Monday night council meeting.”
Councilman Leighton Newlin spoke at the meeting saying that the the Municipality understands the dangers and challenges of the current social climate, and that they stand with all Princeton residents no matter their citizenship status.
Newlin ensured that, as elected officials, it is the council’s responsibility to take the voices of their residents seriously. He added that they will not be handing over that responsibility to any individual or organization.
“Let me be clear, Princeton is your home. You are part of our community. We will protect your dignity and your right to live without fear,” Newlin said.
In an interview with NBC10, Fraga shared that “We are proud to have the most comprehensive Human Services department of any municipality of our size in New Jersey. Through their work, Princeton supports and empowers our immigrant community by connecting them with vital resources and services. Municipal officials and staff continue to work closely with residents, advocates, and local organizations to ensure we meet the needs of our community.”
The Health and Human Services department highlighted available resources and services available for Princeton’s immigrant residents including:
Welcoming Community, serving as a designated Welcoming Community to foster inclusion and belonging for immigrants.
Annual Welcoming Week, a series of events that celebrate and support the contributions of immigrants.
Wage Theft Support:
Conducting intake interviews for wage theft claims from immigrant workers.
Acting as a liaison between the Princeton Police Department and immigrant claimants in wage theft cases.
Legal Services Connection, which links immigrants with legal assistance for immigration-related matters.
Know Your Rights Workshops are educational workshops to inform immigrants of their rights, especially in interactions with law enforcement and employers.
Tenant Rights Workshops/Housing:
Hosting Tenant Rights Workshops to educate immigrant renters on their legal protections and housing-related resources.
Ensure the immigrant community is aware and utilizing housing assistance resources.
Employee Trainings:
Assist immigrant workers from retail food establishments in receiving the required safe food handling education.
Healthcare and Public Assistance:
Assisting eligible immigrants in accessing healthcare coverage, immunizations, WIC, and other forms of public assistance such as Food stamps/ NJSNAP, Cash Assistance, etc.
Provide primary medical home for all uninsured and underinsured residents, regardless of immigration status. Providing free primary care services, including immunizations necessary for K-12 enrollment.
Through CDBG funding, provide free vision and dental care for immigrants.
Access to Essential Services: Connecting immigrants to behavioral health resources, food pantries, and assistance with obtaining identification cards.
Proactive Outreach in Immigrant Communities:
Assisting with individual and family safety plans.
Collaborating with Catholic Charities, Solidaridad, LALDEF, and the NJ Office for New Americans to bring services directly into the community.
Ongoing Communication and Resource Sharing: Maintaining a chat group with immigrant community members to actively share timely updates, resources, and opportunities.”
During the Monday night meeting, members of the community shared their thoughts about the resolution of the ITA, with community leaders saying that this is just the beginning for protecting immigrant rights.
Ana Paola Pazmiño, the Executive Director of Resistencia Accion, a grassroots, volunteer-led organization that works to advance and protect immigrants’ rights in New Jersey, attended the meeting and said that this is a win not just for Princeton Council, but also for the immigrant community.
“Immigrant families belong here. Their safety and their dignity matter, and that is where our community stands where we defend the values of immigrants,” Pazmiño said.
In an interview with NBC10, Pazmiño shared that they are seeing a big rise of fear and uncertainty from undocumented immigrants who are living under President Donald Trump’s Administration.
She added that this step by the Princeton officials is the beginning of getting tangible protections and accountability for immigrants, and shared resources of Rapid Response Teams of community members who offer aid and inform undocumented immigrants of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids happening in their area.
Resistencia en Acción New Jersey group photo
The team responds to calls of alleged Homeland Security or unmarked vehicles in the area and volunteers who are members of the community are able to go speak with immigration authorities about the suspicious activity.
“It’s not a way to obstruct investigations. It’s not a way to give legal advice to anybody, we are not acting as police,” Pazmiño said. “The idea of Rapid Response is that the community gets together and those that are willing to put their bodies and can risk talking to an ICE agent without being detained, that’s the idea of Rapid Response.”
The resolution by the Mayor and Councilmembers of Princeton comes just weeks after a group of undocumented immigrants were detained by ICE on Thursday, July 24.
Pazmiño emphasized the need for a safety plan to alert when ICE is in the area, and shared there is a GoFundMe set up for the 16 families who were detained in a Princeton ICE raid in late July.
With nearly one in four people living in New Jersey being an immigrant, and over 10% of New Jersey’s U.S. citizen children living with at least one undocumented family member, the Municipality of Princeton shared that the resolution will take effect immediately.
New Jersey State Senator, Andrew Zwicker, shared on Instagram that the assault on civil rights and human dignity this past late July has to stop. And that the federal government owes the people of New Jersey answers and accountability.
Community members believe that Princeton’s step towards diversity and inclusion in immigrant communities showcases the urgency for protecting immigrant residents.