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Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton Supporting the Passage of the Immigrant Trust Act
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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, Princeton’s diverse immigrant community is an integral part of our thriving local economy and our vibrant cultural scene; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, Princeton’s Police Department issued its own directive to all law enforcement personnel, and revised it in 2019 to be consistent with the AG’s Immigrant Trust Directive; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Princeton joined Welcoming America, becoming a part of a global movement proactively working to build welcoming communities that value inclusiveness, unity and diversity, and has renewed our commitment to these values as recently as this year; and
WHEREAS, since 2019, the Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD) has enabled our immigrant communities of diverse status to live without fear of interactions with 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, TPS holders, Dreamers, etc.
WHEREAS, Assemblywoman Park and Senator Johnson have introduced into the State Legislature the Immigrant Trust Act (S3672/A4987); and
WHEREAS, the Immigrant Trust Act (ITA) would codify the ITD into law; and
WHEREAS, the ITA would expand the protections in the ITD, so that no one need fear that a visit to the DMV, to enroll their children in school, to obtain lawfully entitled healthcare, etc. could lead to their private information being shared with ICE, putting themselves or their families in jeopardy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of Princeton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, as follows:
1. The Mayor and Council hereby call upon the State Legislature to pass the ITA with all deliberate speed.
2. The Mayor and Council hereby call on Princeton’s representatives in the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate to co-sponsor and vote affirmatively for the ITA.
3. The Mayor and Council hereby call on the Governor to sign the ITA into law.
4. The Mayor and Council strongly encourage other New Jersey municipalities to consider adopting a similar resolution in support of the ITA.
5. The Municipal Clerk shall cause a certified copy of this resolution to be transmitted forthwith to New Jersey State Senator Andrew Zwicker, New Jersey State Assemblypersons Mitchelle Drulis and Roy Freiman, New Jersey State Senate President Nicholas Scutari, New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, the principal sponsors of the ITA, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
6. This resolution shall take effect immediately.