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A 5664

"Unifying Families and Bringing Them Home Act"; requires AG to establish program to relocated persons unlawfully in State.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Kanitra

New Jersey would create a state-run program to identify and relocate undocumented immigrants, shifting immigration enforcement from federal to state level.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
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Bill Summary · A 5664

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 5664 requires New Jersey's Attorney General to establish a program for relocating persons determined to be unlawfully in the state. The bill appears designed to create a systematic process for removing undocumented immigrants from New Jersey. It was recently introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.

Why is this important

Immigration enforcement directly affects hundreds of thousands of people in New Jersey, which has a significant immigrant population. The bill would create state-level infrastructure for removal operations, potentially shifting enforcement responsibilities and costs from federal to state government. This represents a significant policy shift in how New Jersey approaches immigration enforcement.

Potential points of contention

  • Federalism and jurisdictional authority: Immigration enforcement is traditionally a federal responsibility; states creating parallel systems raises constitutional and practical questions about overlapping authority
  • Implementation costs and logistics: Establishing a relocation program requires funding, personnel, legal infrastructure, and coordination with federal agencies; fiscal impact and sustainability are unclear
  • Due process and legal protections: The bill's vagueness about procedures, appeals processes, and legal representation could raise concerns about constitutional safeguards for affected individuals
  • Scope and definition: "Unlawfully in State" requires clarification—the bill doesn't specify which federal immigration statuses trigger relocation or how determinations are made

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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