One thing should be clear to anyone who knows Jersey food, culture and demographics: New Jersey draws strength from our immigrant past and present. The state’s remarkably diverse population is a dynamic mix of first-generation immigrants and the descendants of immigrants. EthnicNJ is immigrant NJ.

EthnicNJ.com is adding another set of resources for New Jersey communities: organizations working to protect immigrants and their rights. At a time in the United States when members of minority communities, refugees, and immigrants – our families, friends and neighbors – face an escalating risk of being targeted for harassment and discrimination, and even losing legal protections, EthnicNJ will do what we can to protect and support the most vulnerable New Jerseyans. One thing EthnicNJ can do in is help to connect people with information and resources to protect themselves and others.

Resources

Local Organizations 

“The ACLU of New Jersey works to defend liberty throughout our state. We are involved in litigation and advocacy on behalf of individuals.”

“The Immigrant Rights Program’s successful integration of legal services, advocacy and organizing has made a dramatic difference in the lives of immigrants in New Jersey and beyond by ensuring that immigrant voices are heard in policy debates, by assisting immigrants with challenging immigration cases, and by changing the narrative about immigration issues to influence policy.”

“[P]rovides low- cost immigration services for those unable to afford a private attorney”, “coordinates the Southern Division of the New Jersey Immigration Policy Network”.

“Casa Esperanza is a non-profit organization created to serve immigrants and refugees who need affordable legal, educational and social services, as well as a place to go when they need help.”

“Centro Comunitario CEUS is a non-profit, community-based agency that serves and organizes Hispanic immigrants in North Jersey.”

First Friends of NJ and NY upholds the inherent dignity and humanity of detained immigrants and asylum seekers. We provide compassion and hope through volunteer visitation, resettlement assistance and advocacy.”

“Make the Road New Jersey builds the power of immigrant and working class communities in New Jersey to achieve dignity and justice through community organizing, legal and support services, transformative education and policy innovation.”

“The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice is a statewide membership-based coalition that creates and achieves policies in New Jersey that welcome and support immigrants to become rooted economically, politically and socially within the state.”

“El Centro Hispanoamericano promotes the rights and helps meet the needs of immigrants and refugees in New Jersey through affordable legal services, advocacy, social service referral, community education and organizing, and cultural programs.”

KIND “works to protect unaccompanied children wherever they are in their journeys. We help children through legal services; public education and outreach in the U.S., Central America and Mexico; and reintegration support for children returning alone from the U.S. to their home countries.”

“LSNJ coordinates the statewide Legal Services system, which provides free legal assistance to low-income New Jerseyans for their civil legal problems. ”

“Wind of the Spirit is an organization of faith for all immigrants and non-immigrants who are moved by the tradition of hospitality for those who need it; without discrimination of race, immigration status, religion or sexual orientation.”

Legal Resources

(source: New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice)

(source: Immigrant Defense Project)

  • Know Your Rights card

(source: Sanctuary Restaurants)

(source: ACLU of New Jersey)

(source: Legal Services of New Jersey)

 

National Organizations

“The American Immigration Council (“Council”), established in 1987, works to strengthen America by honoring our immigrant history and shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration.”

“Our pro bono legal representation program matches good lawyers with asylum-seekers who need help and would not otherwise be able to afford high-quality legal representation.”

The Immigrant Defense Project works to secure fairness and justice for immigrants in the United States. Offers resources for communities, including an ICE Raids Toolkit.

“Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants.”

“Sanctuary Restaurants is a joint project of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United and Presente.org with participation by dozens of restaurants nationwide.” Resources for workers, for restaurant employers and for consumers.

“The SPLC is the premiere U.S. organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists.” Its Immigrant Justice Project “works to protect the rights of immigrants and their children to ensure they are treated with dignity and fairness.”

 

If you would like to suggest a specific resource or organization for inclusion on this page, please contact Anthony@EthnicNJ.com.

 

EthnicNJ is not affiliated with any of these organizations, does not provide legal advice, and lists these resources for informational purposes only. Hyperlinks to other resources on the Internet are not intended to state or imply that EthnicNJ sponsors, endorses, or is affiliated or associated with the linked-to information or website or website-owning entity, nor that EthnicNJ is legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in or accessed through the links.