Statement

NJPP Statement on Governor Murphy’s Action on Immigrant Protection Bills

The outgoing governor's decision to pocket veto two bills leaves critical gaps in protections for New Jersey's immigrant communities.

By

Published on Jan 20, 2026 in Immigrants' Rights

On his final day in office, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Safe Communities Act (A6308) into law but pocket vetoed two companion bills: the Privacy Protection Act (A6309) and a bill to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive (A6310).

In response, NJPP releases the following statement:

Nicole Rodriguez, President, NJPP:

“New Jersey Policy Perspective welcomes Governor Murphy’s signing of A6308, the Safe Communities Act, which ensures schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship remain safe and accessible to all residents regardless of immigration status. After five years of community-led advocacy, this protection is a meaningful step forward.

“However, the Governor’s decision to pocket veto A6309 and A6310 leaves critical gaps in protections for New Jersey’s immigrant communities.

“On A6309 (Privacy Protection Act): The Governor cites a “drafting oversight” that could jeopardize federal funding. While we take these concerns seriously, New Jerseyans needed comprehensive privacy protections yesterday, not weeks from now. We urge the administration to publicly specify the provision at issue so the Legislature can address it and reintroduce this legislation immediately.

“On A6310 (Immigrant Trust Directive): The Governor argues that codifying protections beyond the 2018 directive could invite legal challenges.

“This reasoning prioritizes legal caution over legislative action at a moment when immigrant communities face unprecedented federal threats. The Legislature passed stronger protections because the current directive may not be sufficient under a second Trump administration. Fear of litigation should not prevent New Jersey from enacting the strongest possible safeguards.”

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Author

  • Nicole Rodriguez, Research Director, is an experienced public policy advocate who researches and advocates for state policy solutions that centers the needs of communities. She is skilled in policy analysis, research, writing, communication, and nonprofit organization and management. Her research interests include labor and economic policy at the intersection of work and family.

    Before joining New Jersey Policy Perspective, Nicole was a Senior Researcher at Community Labor United (CLU), an organization that brings together community and labor partners to speak in one voice on issues that impact working-class families throughout Greater Boston. Specifically, Nicole drove strategic campaigns forward with rigorous research and leadership that stabilize and strengthen low-income families and communities of color.Prior to that, Nicole worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, an independent research organization that produces non-partisan policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state’s economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. Nicole has authored numerous reports focusing on family economic security and the state budget.

    She has also worked for foundations, non-profits, and state and local governments in Massachusetts. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Villanova University.

    Email: rodriguez (at) njpp.org | Phone: 609-393-1145 ext. 18
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