Bill
Bill > A5486
NJ A5486
NJ A5486Imposes criminal penalties for harboring aliens who have outstanding warrants and are unlawfully present in U.S.
summary
Introduced
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
In Committee
03/20/2025
03/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill amends N.J.S.A.2C:29-3, which prohibits hindering apprehension or prosecution, to impose criminal penalties for harboring an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States with knowledge that an arrest warrant or an immigration warrant has been issued for such an alien, or hindering the apprehension or deportation of such an alien. Under the bill, harboring or hindering the apprehension or deportation of an unlawful alien, with knowledge that the alien has an outstanding warrant, is a crime of the fourth degree. An unlawful alien who hinders his or her own apprehension or deportation is guilty of a disorderly persons offense. However, it is an affirmative defense that an unlawful alien was a victim of human trafficking during the time that the unlawful alien was hindering his or her own apprehension or deportation. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. A disorderly persons offense is ordinarily punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
AI Summary
This bill amends New Jersey's existing law on hindering apprehension or prosecution to specifically address situations involving undocumented immigrants (referred to as "aliens") with outstanding warrants. The bill establishes criminal penalties for knowingly harboring, concealing, or helping an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States and has an active arrest or immigration warrant. If someone assists such an individual with knowledge of the warrant, they can be charged with a fourth-degree crime, which is punishable by up to 18 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, the bill makes it a disorderly persons offense (a lesser charge) for an unlawful alien to hinder their own apprehension or deportation. Importantly, the legislation includes an affirmative defense for individuals who were victims of human trafficking at the time they were preventing their own apprehension, meaning they could potentially avoid prosecution under these circumstances. The bill aims to strengthen enforcement of immigration laws by creating more specific criminal penalties for those who assist undocumented immigrants with active warrants.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (on 03/20/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5486 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5486_I1.HTM |
Loading...