Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery Township proclaims support for New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act
Summary
Mayor Nina Singh read a proclamation backing the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act, citing the Attorney General's Immigrant Trust Directive and urging the state legislature and governor to enact protections so residents can access municipal services without fear of immigration enforcement.
Mayor Nina Singh proclaimed Montgomery Township's support for the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act (S-3672/A-4987) at the Sept. 16 township committee meeting, saying the measure would codify the Attorney General's 2018/2019 Immigrant Trust Directive and protect residents' private information from being shared with federal immigration authorities.
The proclamation, read into the record by Mayor Nina Singh, notes New Jersey's large foreign-born population and states that the ITA would strengthen trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities so victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes. The mayor said the ordinance does not provide sanctuary for those who commit crimes but would expand privacy safeguards, reporting transparency, and continued access to municipal services such as health care, schools and libraries. "As an immigrant myself, I feel that this is really important," Mayor Singh said while urging prompt legislative action and transmission of the proclamation to Governor Phil Murphy and named legislative leaders.
The resolution prompted brief public-comment support. Dawn Cohen of Bellemeade thanked the committee and suggested forming an ad hoc committee to coordinate local help for vulnerable residents. Irfan Khawaja noted the resolution as part of a larger statewide movement of municipalities adopting similar measures. No committee member proposed amendments; the proclamation was entered into the record and staff were directed to transmit the document to state officials.
Why it matters: The proclamation signals municipal support for a bill that would convert an Attorney General directive into statute, affecting how local agencies handle residents' information and interactions with law enforcement. The action is symbolic rather than regulatory (it does not change township ordinances itself) but communicates the committee's position to state lawmakers.
Next steps: The proclamation will be transmitted to the governor and the legislators named in the resolution; any statutory change would still require state legislative action and the governor's signature.
