CAIR-NJ Joins the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice in Trenton for National Immigrants Day Calling for Stronger Protections for Immigrants
(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 11/1/2022) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) joined the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), advocates and activists in Trenton to call for stronger, more expansive protections for the states immigrant community, including urging legislators to support and pass the Values Act (A1986/S512), Language Access Bill (A3837/S2459), and Data Disaggregation Bill (S241).
The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) hosted their Trenton Day of Action on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the state capital in commemoration of National Immigrants Day, which celebrates immigrants and their contributions to society. NJAIJ’s Day of Action also included point of privilege recognition from Assembly Member Shama A. Haider (LD-37) commemorating National Immigrants Day and over 30 meetings with legislators.
Community members, allies and various grassroots, advocacy, and organizing groups such as the ACLU of New Jersey, the New Jersey Policy Perspective, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, Make the Road New Jersey, American Friends Services Committee, 32BJ SEIU, Unidad Latino en Accion, New Labor, Consortium for Immigrant Children, Wind of the Spirit, New and Labor joined the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice in amplifying and garnering support for passage of the Values Act (S512 / A1986), the New Jersey’s Language Access Bill (S2459 / A3837), and the Data Disaggregation Bill (S2415).
Roughly one in four New Jerseyans identifies as an immigrant, and New Jersey has the second-highest proportion of immigrants in the nation. The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ) core priority bills foster stronger protections for marginalized immigrant and BIPOC communities that constitute a growing population of the state.
SEE: Immigrants Gather in Trenton For National Immigrants Day
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Manager Madina P. Ouedraogo, MPA-PNP said:
“American Muslims represent the most ethnic diversity within religious groups in America. As such, CAIR-NJ supports language access legislation, which is critical to bridging the gaps between marginalized and non-English speaking communities and public resources.
“If language access legislation (S2459 / A3837) passes, the state would be required to provide translation and interpretation services in the 15 most common non-English languages per U.S. Census data.”
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, 908-267-3119, smaksur@cair.com
