Montclair Town Council Supports 'Immigrant Trust Act,' Urges NJ Lawmakers To Adopt Bill

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council passed a symbolic resolution in support of the “New Jersey Immigrant Trust Act” at their latest meeting.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the local resolution at their Nov. 12 meeting, urging New Jersey legislators to pass S3672/A4987.

If New Jersey lawmakers vote for the proposed state law – and it gets a signature from the governor – the bill would limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including ICE.

Two state lawmakers from Essex County are listed as primary sponsors of the bill: Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill (NJ-27) and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (NJ-29).

The resolution reads:

WHEREAS, New Jersey is one of the most diverse states within a nation of immigrants; and

WHEREAS, nearly one in four New Jerseyans is an immigrant; and

WHEREAS, over 10% of New Jersey’s U.S. citizen children live with at least one undocumented family member; and

WHEREAS, since 2018, the Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD), a Statewide policy issued by the New Jersey Attorney General’ designed to strengthen trust between New Jersey’s law enforcement officers and the State’s diverse immigrant communities, has enabled New Jersey’s immigrant communities of diverse status to live without fear of interactions with local law enforcement, to come forth if they are the victim of a crime, and not be subject to separation from their families; and

WHEREAS, public officials agree that this has kept our communities safer, and reflected the value of our immigrant communities, be they documented, undocumented, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, Dreamers, etc.; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Montclair’s Police Department issued its own directive to all of its law enforcement personnel, to be consistent with the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Directive; and

WHEREAS, New Jersey’s municipalities and State government reserve the right to protect its residents and maintain the stability of its communities, economy, and society in ways they see fit; and

WHEREAS, the Township of Montclair values inclusiveness and diversity and is committed to building a welcoming community for all within its borders; and

WHEREAS, Assemblywoman Ellen Park and Senator Gordon Johnson have introduced into the State Legislature, the Immigrant Trust Act (ITA),S3672/A4987, which would codify the ITD into law; and

WHEREAS, the ITA would expand the protections in the ITD, so that no one needs fear that a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), enrolling their children in school, seeking lawfully entitled healthcare, reporting crimes perpetrated against them, etc.. could lead to their private information being shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), , putting themselves or their families in jeopardy.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, State of New Jersey call upon members of the New Jersey State Legislature as follows:

1. That New Jersey State Senate President Nicholas Scutari and New Jersey General Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin post Bill S3672/A4987 with all deliberate speed.
2. That the State Legislature to pass the ITA with all deliberate speed.
3. That Montclair’s representatives in the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate vote affirmatively for the ITA
4. That the Governor to sign the ITA into law.
5. The Municipal Clerk shall cause a certified copy of this Resolution to be transmitted forthwith to New Jersey State Senator John F. McKeon, New Jersey State Assemblypersons Rosaura Bagolie and Alixon Collazos-Gill, New Jersey State Senate President Nicholas Scutari, New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, the principal sponsors of the ITA, Gordon M. Johnson and Brian P. Stack, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
6. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

Watch footage from the Nov. 12 town council meeting below, or view it online here (video is cued to the reading of the resolution):

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