Bill > A328

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the "Unifying Families and Bringing Them Home Act." Under the bill, the Attorney General (AG) is required to establish a program to relocate persons unlawfully present in the State, along with any immediate family that consents to participate in the program, to their country of origin or an authorized settlement country. The bill provides that any person whose immediate family does not consent to relocation is not eligible to participate in the program. The bill defines "immediate family" to mean a person's spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, biological child under the age of 21 years, and legal ward. The bill requires the AG to investigate a person participating in the program for any alleged violation of law. Under the bill, upon verification by the AG that the only alleged violation of law by a participating person is a violation of federal immigration law, the State is not permitted to share information regarding a person participating in the program with federal authorities. Under the bill, it is a crime of the fourth degree for a person to unlawfully reenter the State after utilizing the program. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. In addition, a program participant who reenters the State after utilizing the program is liable to a penalty equivalent to the cost incurred by the State to relocate that person and the person's immediate family. The sponsor notes that the presence of individuals unlawfully in the State poses significant financial and social challenges to New Jersey. The sponsor intends for this program to reduce the costs associated with providing services to these individuals in New Jersey, including education and healthcare expenses. According to the sponsor, by facilitating the relocation of these individuals to their country of origin or an authorized settlement country, the bill aims to alleviate the financial burden on State resources and promote compliance with the rule of law.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Paul Kanitra (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document