New Jersey Proposes $20 Million for Immigrant Legal Defense Following Delaney Hall Protests

Over the past several months, New Jersey has been at the center of the storm surrounding immigration.

In May, hundreds of people detained at the infamous Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, went on a hunger strike, demanding that their human rights be respected amid the inhumane conditions they were experiencing.

Their demands included an in-person meeting with the governor; the immediate release of vulnerable detainees, including pregnant women and people with medical conditions; and the right for everyone to await their court hearings outside detention and remain with their families.

The hunger strike sparked a series of protests, some of which became violent and resulted in activists being arrested following aggressive tactics by ICE and local police. The protests lasted more than two weeks.

During this period, several vulnerable detainees were released, including a high school senior, older adults, and people with medical conditions.

Additionally, after facing significant criticism for contributing to the escalation of the situation outside Delaney Hall, the governor announced that she would propose allocating $20 million in her budget to the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative.

Launched in 2018, this initiative provides state funding to several organizations that offer legal advice and limited representation to people detained in New Jersey. The program was created because the immigration system does NOT guarantee free legal representation to detained individuals. Although detainees have the right to an attorney, they must secure and pay for one themselves.

While this proposal represents an important victory for the community, it also has limitations. It is estimated that, at this funding level, the program could assist approximately 40% of all people detained in New Jersey, leaving many others without the legal support they need.

To learn more about New Jersey’s Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative or request assistance through the program, visit:https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njnewamericans/legal/dddi/