New JerseyNew Jersey would create a public defender immigration unit
The public defender would create a unit to represent eligible noncitizens in criminal, youth delinquency, and psychiatric commitment cases and help with immigration matters.
What it does
A new public defender unit would represent eligible noncitizens in criminal cases, youth delinquency cases, and psychiatric commitments. It would also help them with immigration matters.
Argument forImmigration help could let eligible noncitizens better understand how their court cases may affect their immigration status.
Argument againstHelping people in criminal, youth, and psychiatric cases could stretch the office’s immigration lawyers; the bill says it currently has two.
More detail
The Office of the Public Defender would create an immigration unit to provide legal representation and help with immigration matters. It would serve noncitizens involved in the criminal justice system, held in state, county, or private psychiatric institutions, or involved in youth delinquency cases. The unit would follow existing public defender rules for providing representation. The bill describes its intended clients as noncitizens who cannot afford a lawyer. If enacted, the requirement to create the unit would take effect immediately.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 5Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary CommitteeIntroduced
ImmigrationCriminal JusticeMental Health