RAC-NJ Statement on Governor Murphy Signing Safe Communities Act

January 20, 2026 - "Today's signing of the Safe Communities Act marks a significant step by ensuring that all New Jerseyans are safer in courthouses, houses of worship, schools, and other sensitive locations. This commonsense legislation, which passed in the New Jersey legislature with bipartisan support, will help ensure that New Jerseyans seeking access to sensitive locations, including synagogues and other houses of worship, can do so regardless of their immigration status. Jewish tradition commands us to protect the stranger and pursue justice. The Safe Communities Act does both.

At the same time, we are disappointed that Governor Murphy did not sign the Privacy Protection Act and the Immigrant Trust Directive codification bills into law. The Privacy Protection Act would have limited access to automatic license plate reader data, which would have protected not only New Jersey's immigrants, but also those entering New Jersey seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care. The Immigrant Trust Directive codification bill would have added key protections for vulnerable populations with valid legal defenses to final orders of deportation, such as DACA recipients or witnesses to or victims of serious crimes, such as human trafficking.

Given Governor Murphy's decision to leave two of the three immigrant protection bills - unsigned - on his desk, we urge Governor Sherrill to take immediate steps to ensure that New Jerseyans' data is protected and that no New Jerseyans are turned over to ICE without first being afforded their full due process rights.

We appreciate Governor Murphy's signature on the Safe Communities Act and the tireless work of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice and its dozens of partner organizations, who led with clarity and courage. RAC-NJ is proud to have stood alongside them."

- Sarah Blaine, Lead Organizer, New Jersey Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC-NJ); Assistant Director of Organizing, RAC

RAC-NJ's contributions to this successful campaign included:

• Clergy leadership: 70 NJ rabbis and cantors signed an open letter supporting the legislation (published in the New Jersey Globe) and sent to all 120 legislators.

• Constituent pressure: Two state action alerts generating 1,391emails to the Governor and/or legislators from 458 advocates.

• Phone program: Timed call-in days in Nov-Jan which produced over 1,100 calls to targeted legislators, driven by 80+ RAC-NJ volunteers making weekly calls Nov 2025-Jan 2026.

• State House advocacy: 48 volunteers registered across multiple State House visits to meet lawmakers and testify during committee hearings and floor votes.

• Direct lobbying: Conducted formal and informal meetings with legislators across both chambers.