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NJ S4302
NJ S4302"New Jersey Laken Riley Act;" establishes law enforcement procedures for arrests of aliens unlawfully present in the U.S. charged with certain crimes.
summary
Introduced
05/12/2025
05/12/2025
In Committee
05/12/2025
05/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill, to be known as the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes law enforcement procedures for cases where an alien unlawfully present in the United States is arrested and charged with certain crimes. Under the bill, an alien who is confirmed by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to be an alien unlawfully present in the United States, and who is arrested for certain crimes, is presumed to require pretrial detention, notwithstanding the State's Criminal Justice Reform Law (also known as "bail reform"). The applicable crimes are any indictable crime of the first, second, third, or fourth degree; any motor vehicle violation involving bodily injury to another person; or any crime defined under federal law as an aggravated felony, serious criminal offense, or crime of violence. Additionally, the bill reforms certain law enforcement practices concerning illegal immigration. First, the bill expressly authorizes and requires law enforcement officers to comply with immigration detainers requested by DHS. Second, the bill expressly authorizes law enforcement agencies to enter into voluntary agreements with federal authorities to provide immigration enforcement services. Third, the bill repeals the law banning prisons and jails in this State from serving as immigration detention facilities. Finally, the bill directs the Attorney General to rescind A.G. Directive 2018-6 v.2.0, commonly known as the "Immigrant Trust Directive," which was issued on Sept. 27, 2019. Through this bill, it is the intent of the sponsor to align State law with federal immigration law, particularly the federal Laken Riley Act, Pub.L.119-1, signed into law by the President on January 29, 2025.
AI Summary
This bill, named the "New Jersey Laken Riley Act," establishes new law enforcement procedures for handling arrests of individuals who are not legally present in the United States and are charged with specific crimes. The bill requires law enforcement officers to notify prosecutors when they arrest a person who is not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or authorized under certain humanitarian programs, and who is charged with serious crimes like first through fourth-degree offenses, motor vehicle violations causing bodily injury, or federal immigration-defined serious criminal offenses. Upon such notification, prosecutors must request pretrial detention, with a presumption that the individual should be detained unless clear and convincing evidence suggests otherwise. The bill also authorizes law enforcement to inquire about a person's immigration status with the Department of Homeland Security, comply with immigration detainer requests, and enter voluntary agreements with federal authorities for immigration enforcement. Additionally, the bill repeals previous legislation that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities and directs the Attorney General to rescind existing immigrant protection directives. The legislation aims to align New Jersey state law more closely with federal immigration enforcement practices and is named in reference to the federal Laken Riley Act, which was signed into law in January 2025.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 05/12/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4302 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4302_I1.HTM |
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