ACLU backs NJ sanctuary cities sued
Groups say policies benefit all residents
By: Ricardo Kaulessar
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... North Jersey cities sued by the federal government over their sanctuary city policies are getting support from a large alliance of advocacy groups.
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The ACLU of New Jersey and 29 partner organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief in federal court in Newark on October 28. [2025]
..... the brief argues that the "community trust" policies of Newark, Jersey city, Paterson and Hoboken that limits cooperation between local police and federal immigrant enforcement officers "promote financial and physical well-being welfare and education benefiting all of the cities' residents."
..... "Community trust policies help residents access public services without fear of family separation, which improves well-being for everyone,: said Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU of New Jersey in comments accompanying the brief. "Public safety is strengthened when people can report crimes, and public health is improved when people can seek medical care."
..... The Justice Department sued the four municipalities in May [2025] for what it says are policies interfering with the government's efforts to depot undocumented immigrants.
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The legal actions against sanctuary cities and other jurisdictions are part of President Donald Trump's goal of the mass deportation of at least 11 million undocumented immigrants and cutting federal funds to sanctuary cities across the country. Justice Department spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre, in an email, pointed to comments made by Attorney General Pam Bondi in August. [2025] Bondi said, "Sanctuary policies impeded law enforcement and out American citizens at risk by design."
..... In August, [2025] Bondi threatened the cities with cutting federal funds and criminal prosecution if the didn't cooperate with federal authorities on mitigation enforcement.
..... In September, [2025] those cities filed for the dismissal of the lawsuit on three points: lacks standing, cannot succeed on the merits and the city's policies do no "impose any requirements on the federal government.
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On October 14, [2025] the cities again each filed motions to dismiss the case.
..... The Justice Department, on the same day, field a "motion to stay" opposing the dismissal motions. the lawsuit is pending.
..... The other organization joining the ACLU-NJ include:
* Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of New Jersey, The American Friends Service Committee, The Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, Black Lives Matter Paterson, Casa de Esperanza, Cherry Hill Women's Center, Committee de Apoyo of los Trabajadores Agricolas, el Pueblo Unido of Atlantic County y pueblos Cercanos, Faith in New Jersey, First Friends of New Jersey and New York, Garden State Equality, Kids in Ned of Defense, La Casa de Don Pedro, Incorporated, Latino action Network, Latino Coalition of New Jersey, Latino Justice PRLDEF, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, Make the Road New Jersey, the MinKwon Center for Community Action, the National Organization for women of New Jersey, The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, New Jersey Citizen Aston, The New Jersey Coalition to End domestic Violante, The New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children, The Pride Center of New Jersey, The Reformed Church of Highland Park Affordable Housing Corporation, The Service employees International union 32BJ, Unitarian Universallist FaithAction New Jersey, and volunteer Lawyers for Justice.
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"By limiting the use of local resources for immigration enforcement, cities with community Trust Policies make it possible for children to live more full, fearless lives," said Sam Rumsey, legal director of the New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant children.
..... Requests for comment to the mayors of Hoboken and Jersey City were not returned immediately. Diana Nunez Paterson;s public information officer, said in a statement, "Mayor [Andre] Sayegh does not have a comment at the time, given that this is a pending legal matter."
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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka followed with a statement: :In a democracy, it is expected that infractions against people's rights and freedoms are denounced, met with resistance, and corrected. This is the American way. Individuals and organizations hat love our country and have reference for its diversity and unity should meet their responsibility as citizens to uphold the rights and freedoms of others. No one in our country should feel threatened by this administration's attempt to terrorize them as they go about their daily lives."