Tonanziht Aguas

Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, researches the criminal legal system with a focus on alternatives to policing that center restorative justice. Previously, Marleina was NJPP’s 2020-2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow where she analyzed the state budget process and researched public spending on state and local law enforcement. Marleina began her undergraduate work at Valencia College and earned a transfer scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a B.A. in Philosophy. As a PIKSI fellow, she spent a summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenging demographic disparities in institutions of higher learning. In 2021, she earned her M.S.W. in Management and Policy at Rutgers University and served as an Eagleton Fellow in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office. Marleina lives in Lambertville with her husband and daughter.

A Solid First Budget, but New Jersey Still Needs Revenue That Lasts

July 16, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Gov. Sherrill made real progress on the deficit, but the toughest choices are waiting for next year.

Budget Funds Legal Defense for Immigrants Facing Detention and Deportation

June 30, 2026 • Tax and Budget
New Jersey’s legislative budget committees approved the state budget bill S2027/A5327, which included $20.2 million for the state’s Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative (DDDI). This program provides free legal counsel and representation to income-eligible New Jersey residents facing detention and/or deportation. In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) [...]

The State Budget Fails Families on Prison Communication Fees

June 30, 2026 • Economic Justice
Tonight, New Jersey’s legislative budget committees approved the state budget bill S2027/A5327. The budget did not include funding to reduce or eliminate prison communication fees. In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) releases the following statement: Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP: “This budget missed a real opportunity [...]

Families Still Pay Millions to Stay Connected to Loved Ones in Prison

April 28, 2026 • Economic Justice
A phone call home can mean everything for the thousands of people incarcerated in New Jersey’s prisons and jails. Staying connected improves mental health, strengthens family ties, and helps people prepare for a successful return to their communities. But for many, these calls come at a high and [...]

Progress on Privacy and Immigrant Protections — With More Work Ahead

March 25, 2026
This morning, Governor Sherrill signed a package of bills, including the Privacy Protection Act and the codification of the Immigrant Trust Directive, that strengthen protections for immigrant communities across New Jersey. In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) issues the following statement: Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP: [...]

How Gov. Sherrill’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Measures Up

March 11, 2026 • Tax and Budget
NJPP's research team evaluates whether Governor Murphy's final budget proposal sufficiently advances economic, social, and racial justice.

What to Look for in the New Jersey Budget for Fiscal Year 2027

March 3, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Ahead of Governor Sherrill's first budget address, here are key benchmarks to evaluate whether the budget sufficiently addresses fiscal challenges while aligning with the values of expanding opportunity for all.

The $200 Barrier to Justice: Why NJ Must Eliminate Municipal Public Defender Fees

October 31, 2025 • Public Safety
Despite the constitutional right to an attorney, municipal courts charge up to $200 for public defenders, pushing low-income residents into debt.

State Lawmakers Should Protect Residents from Federal Cuts to Vital Services

August 7, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
NJPP Research Team pens an open letter urging state lawmakers to take steps toward protecting vital programs facing federal cuts.

Federal Court Puts Profit Over People

July 22, 2025 • Immigrants' Rights
New ruling allows private detention to continue despite New Jersey ban.