CAIR-NJ Welcomes Signing of Immigrant Protection Bills into Law as a Major but Partial Victory, Urges Stronger Action

(Newark, NJ, 3/26/26) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today  welcomed the signing of three key immigrant protection bills into law by Governor Sherrill, including measures previously vetoed in the final hours of the Murphy administration. This milestone reflects years of sustained advocacy by community organizations and residents across New Jersey.

While this moment marks meaningful progress, CAIR-NJ emphasizes that these laws still fall short of addressing the full scope of harm facing immigrant communities.

The enactment of these protections comes amid growing concern over increased federal immigration enforcement, including the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at Newark Liberty International Airport and broader nationwide deportation efforts.

The key provisions of the legislation include:

1. The Privacy Protection Act, which limits the collection and sharing of personal data without consent;
2. The Immigrant Trust Directive, which codifies the separation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, ensuring state resources are not used to advance federal civil immigration enforcement;
3. The Safe Communities Act, which aims to ensure residents can access essential services, such as schools, healthcare, and law enforcement, without fear.

The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) states that: “The current version of both the Privacy Protection Act (A4070) and the Immigrant Trust Directive Codification (A4071) have been significantly watered down to match public comments Governor Sherrill had made on the campaign trail,” urging a stronger and more effective call to revisit and revise these passed bills.

SEE: AS ICE PATROLS NEWARK AIRPORT, STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES MODIFIED IMMIGRATION BILLS

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:

“The signing of these bills into law is the result of years of tireless advocacy from an exceptionally diverse array of community members and organizations across New Jersey, particularly with NJAIJ’s trusted guidance and leadership. We welcome this progress and recognize the significance of finally enacting protections that were long denied, including those previously vetoed.”

“But we must be clear: these laws do not go far enough. ICE presence is expanding, even in places like the Newark Airport. Too many in our communities remain vulnerable to unjust enforcement, surveillance, and detention. This is a major step, but it cannot be the last. Lawmakers must build on this foundation to ensure every resident is treated with dignity regardless of status.”

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

CAIR-NJ Held Press Conference with New Jersey Families Impacted by War in the Middle East, Calls on NJ Congressional Representatives to Demand End to War on Iran 

(Newark, NJ, 3/19/26) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today held a press conference with Iranian, Lebanese, and Palestinian families speaking out against the Israel-US war with Iran and increased violence in the Middle East.

SEE: Press Conference Livestream with New Jersey Families 

While Eid al-Fitr (March 19th, 2026) traditionally marks a time of communal prayer and celebration, many families in New Jersey find themselves unable to celebrate due to the ongoing Israeli assault in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon.

NIAC: Iranian American Poll 

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) partnered with the polling firm Zogby Analytics to conduct a national survey of Iranian Americans examining community views on the war with Iran, U.S. policy, and prospects for diplomacy. Fielded during the first week of the conflict from February 27 to March 5, 2026, the survey provides one of the earliest snapshots of Iranian American opinion as the crisis unfolded.

Press Conference Photos & Photos of Destruction from Lebanon 

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:

“As Ramadan comes to a close and many prepare to mark Eid al-Fitr, countless Muslim families in New Jersey and across the world are unable to celebrate, grieving loved ones and the devastating Israeli aggression facing communities in Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine. Instead of joy, there is pain and uncertainty.

“Today we are calling on our New Jersey congressional representatives to demand an end to the Israel-US war of choice against Iran. The Israel-US preemptive strikes are a continued and unnecessary devastation in the region.”

“Elected officials must use their voices and demand an end to the war that continues to harm innocent families here and abroad. New Jersey families are suffering.”

“Today we heard from various voices, Iranian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Jewish Americans, who shared stories of their loved ones and unique perspectives on the war.”

“How are New Jersey and New York families supposed to celebrate Eid when their families, their schools and their hospitals in Lebanon, Iran and Palestine have been destroyed by Israel?”

In a statement, a Palestinian-American from New Jersey, Alae said:

“My cousin, NasrAllah Abusiyam, died in the way of protecting others. The Israeli Knesset approved the annexation of the entire West Bank as policy, things will get worse and more Palestinian Americans, Jewish Americans, Christian American allies will be killed by Israelis as a result of the US’s complicity in holding a foreign government accountable.”

SPEAKERS:

1. Etan Mabourakh — Jewish Iranian-American, NIAC, National Organizing Manager
2. Hala — Lebanese-American, family displaced in southern Lebanon
3. Jad Nehme — Lebanese-American, Shia Muslim, has many displaced family members in Lebanon, some killed by Israeli bombs
4. Alae — Palestinian American, Sunni Muslim – 19-year-old cousin (NasrAllah Abusiyam, American citizen) killed by settlers in February, no arrests
5. Larry Hamm — African-American, Christian, civil rights and human rights leader
6. Nancy Stern — Jewish-American professor, daughter of Holocaust survivors, visited West Bank 6 times
7. Reza Farzan — Iranian American, with family in Tehran who he has not heard from

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

CAIR-NJ Condemns Formal Ethics Complaint Against NJ Municipal Judge Over Religious and Cultural Attire at Judicial Conference

(NEWARK, NJ – 3/10/2026) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the formal ethics complaint filed by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) against Judge Steven Brister, a part-time municipal court judge in East Orange who also serves as an acting judge in Newark and Orange.

The complaint, filed on March 4, 2026, alleges that Judge Brister violated the judiciary’s political speech and conduct rules by wearing a keffiyeh and a hat bearing the word “Palestine” at a judicial conference in June 2025.

According to the ACJC complaint, Judge Brister attended the annual Municipal Division Conference on June 9, 2025, wearing a black baseball cap featuring the Palestinian flag and the word “Palestine,” along with a black and white checkered keffiyeh draped around his neck and shoulders. The complaint states that after some attendees expressed offense, the presiding judge asked Brister to remove the hat. Judge Brister declined, stating he would remove the cap only if all attendees were asked to remove their headgear. Under oath before the ACJC in October 2025, Judge Brister testified that he did not view the attire as a political statement and that he wore the keffiyeh for religious and spiritual reasons.

CAIR-NJ had previously submitted a letter to the ACJC in November 2025 urging the committee to refrain from pursuing formal charges, arguing that Judge Brister’s attire represented an act of religious and conscientious expression consistent with his Islamic faith rather than prohibited political activity. The letter detailed the religious significance of the keffiyeh and similar head coverings in Islamic tradition, noting that wearing such garments is rooted in the Sunnah—the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—and is a recognized practice among Muslims of all backgrounds, including African American Muslims.

SEE: N.J. judge under legal fire for wearing ‘Palestine’ hat, Middle Eastern scarf at conference

SEE: Judge faces discipline for wearing hat with Palestine flag to conference

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Staff Attorney, Ramin Zareian, said:

“The decision to file a formal ethics complaint against Judge Brister for wearing a keffiyeh and a hat referencing Palestine is deeply troubling and sets a dangerous precedent for religious and cultural expression within the judiciary,”

“The keffiyeh is a garment with deep significance for Muslims worldwide. To characterize it as inherently political while similar expressions of faith—such as a yarmulke, a Sikh turban, or a cross lapel pin—are accepted without question reveals an alarming double standard. We stand firmly with Judge Brister and will continue to defend the right of Muslim Americans to express their faith without fear of professional retaliation.”

CAIR-NJ maintains that Canon 7 of the New Jersey Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits judges from engaging in political activity, was not designed to restrict expressions of religious faith, moral conscience, or humanitarian solidarity. The organization argues that “Palestine” is a geographic and spiritual term referring to a land sacred to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and that concern for Palestine among Muslims is foremost a religious and humanitarian matter, not a partisan political stance.

CAIR-NJ warns that treating Muslim religious and cultural symbols as inherently political while regarding analogous expressions from other faith traditions as devotional risks unequal treatment and erodes public confidence in an inclusive judiciary. The organization calls on the ACJC and the New Jersey Supreme Court to dismiss the complaint and to affirm that expressions of religious and cultural identity do not constitute violations of judicial ethics.

CAIR-NJ will continue to monitor this case and stands ready to provide support to Judge Brister. The organization encourages community members who have experienced discrimination based on religious expression to report incidents at cair-nj.org/report-an-incident.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.    

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CONTACT:  CAIR-NJ Executive Director  Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414

CAIR-NJ Calls NJ Congressional Delegation to Support War Powers Resolution, End War with Iran 

(NEWARK, NJ – 3/4/2026) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization condemns the “holy war” rhetoric of defense leaders and urged the passing of the War Powers Resolution and an end to the war with Iran.

The passing of the War Powers Resolution enforces the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized facilities in Iran. This resolution will also reaffirm Congress’s sole authority to declare war.

CAIR-NJ also condemns the pentagon’s “holy war rhetoric” in justification of bombing Iran. One commander reportedly claimed that the Iran war is part of God’s plan, and that President Trump was “anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth.”

SEE: U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for “Armageddon,” Return of Jesus

SEE: X Thread 

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:

“This is an illegal war. It must end, along with the reckless rhetoric used to justify it. Secretary Rubio himself acknowledged at the outset that bombing Iran was not in response to any direct threat to the United States, but rather followed Israel’s military actions.”

“The Massie-Khanna War Powers Resolution is essential to restoring Congress’s constitutional authority over war. New Jersey’s congressional delegation must support it and make clear that American service members and taxpayer dollars exist to defend the United States, not to bankroll Israel’s wars.”

“AIPAC and Israel, have once again dragged our nation toward another disastrous conflict. The American people do not want this war. New Jersey’s elected leaders must speak out, loudly and unequivocally, and demand an immediate end before this crisis spirals further out of control.”

“We also call on the Trump administration to stop advancing the agenda of indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu, regardless of any threats or political pressure exerted by his government, and instead prioritize the interests of the American people.”

CAIR-NJ also condemned the bombing of an Iranian school by the U.S. and Israel killing over 100 schoolgirls. The organization noted that the attacks were carried out during active negotiations and in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. 

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.    

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CONTACT:  CAIR-NJ Executive Director  Selaedin Maksut, smaksut@cair.com, 862-264-9414