ICE Out of New Jersey

We are working to end collaboration between NJ law enforcement and ICE, and ultimately to drive ICE out of New Jersey.

Our Demands

No Polimigra

No police and ICE collaboration. No License Plate Readers (LPR) used against our communities.

No Detention Centers

No contracts with ICE in any city. We refuse to be complicit in the caging of our neighbors.

ICE Out of Everywhere

Not in our schools, hospitals, or courthouses. No más redadas. Safe spaces for all.

Full Legal Funds

Every detained community member deserves robust legal representation and full funding support.

Locally, that means passing policies and ordinances that:

Prohibit use of city resources, support, and communication with federal civil immigration enforcement without a judicial warrant — and establish citywide training and policy protocols

Create community partnerships for Know-Your-Rights outreach, with dedicated funding and support

Provide legal support for detained community members through local and state DDDI budget increases

Guarantee interpretation services at all city council meetings

Ban detention and processing centers in our cities — no cooperation with ICE infrastructure

Explore Our Organizing Toolkit →

Our Coalition

AFSC NJ-IRP

American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that works for peace and social justice. For over 30 years, AFSC's New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program (NJIRP) has worked to advance the rights of immigrants at both a state and federal level. The NJIRP works towards policies that respect the rights and dignity of all immigrants. AFSC's New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program provides comprehensive legal support, holistic support services as well as organizing and advocacy.

Website @afscnj

CATA

CATA - The Farmworkers Support Committee is a non-profit organization founded by migrant farmworkers in New Jersey in 1979. CATA is a grassroots, membership-based organization working with farmworkers and the Latino immigrant community in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. CATA's work focuses on workers' rights, health and safety in the workplace, immigrant's rights, and food justice.

Website @catamigrantes

Cosecha NJ

Movimiento Cosecha is a movement of immigrant workers and families that fight for respect, dignity, and permanent protection of the entire immigrant community. At the same time, we strive to dignify our families and communities, we fight against racism, for gender equality, and welcome all people to our movement respecting their origin, race, ethnicity and color.

Website @cosechanj

DIRE

DIRE (Deportation and Immigration Response Equipo) operates a hotline to assist individuals and families facing immigration issues and ICE detention. NJ residents also call the hotline to report ICE sightings so that local rapid response teams can be notified and respond to ICE raids. In addition, DIRE organizes Rapid Response, Patrolling, and Know Your Rights trainings, accompaniment to immigration court, outreach, legislative work, and other grassroots projects led by volunteers.

Website

El Pueblo Unido

El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City y Pueblos Cercanos is a New Jersey nonprofit organization founded in 2019 to protect and empower Latino and immigrant families, seeking to advance justice, dignity, and equity for its community members through legal, social, and educational services, civic engagement, and community organizing. Its members are primarily working-class immigrant families, many of whom are undocumented, and face challenges to secure housing, fair work, access to essential resources.

Website @elpueblounidoac

Estamos Unidos NJ

Estamos Unidos is a community defense and mutual aid collective formed last year to build power among neighbors primarily in North Hudson County. Among other organizing efforts, they seek to follow immigrant rights organizations' leadership in fighting for local protections, know your rights, and rapid response.

@estamosunidosnj

NDLON

NDLON improves the lives of day laborers, migrants and low-wage workers. It builds leadership and power among those facing injustice so they can challenge inequality and expand labor, civil and political rights for all.

Website @daylaborernetwork

New Labor NJ

New Labor is an organization led primarily by immigrant workers that educates, organizes, and fights for better working conditions and social justice in the workplace and community. Through collective action and community engagement, New Labor empowers its members to raise their voices and build power in their workplaces, communities, and the political realm to create positive change.

Website @newlabornj

Resistencia en Acción NJ

Resistencia En Accion NJ is a migrant rights organization based in Mercer County with offices in both Princeton and Trenton NJ. Their mission is to educate, empower, and organize migrant communities to defend themselves from being criminalized by local police, ICE, exploitative employers, racial discrimination, and the detention and deportation system. Their work includes rapid response, family support, and organizing issue based campaigns around immigration.

Website @resistencia_en_accion_nj

Semilla Roja NJ

Semilla Roja organizes, defends, and politically develops working class and immigrant communities, especially the Latine/x/a/o diaspora in New Jersey. Their work is rooted in the daily realities their communities face, including housing insecurity, displacement, labor exploitation, and immigration enforcement. They fight all forms of capitalist and imperialist repression and confront ICE as a tool of state violence used to terrorize and control immigrant communities.

Facebook @semillaroja.nj

New Jersey Actions

Community actions and events across New Jersey.

Updates

Latest news and updates from the coalition · Beehiiv

Loading updates...

Stand with immigrant communities in New Jersey

Donate

Our Toolkit

Why Local Action

Recently, the state passed legislation that codifies parts of the Immigrant Trust Directive, placing some limits on cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

However, the state law still contains significant carveouts and gaps. In many situations, personal information can still be shared, and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement can still occur. Because of these gaps, families across New Jersey remain vulnerable to detention and deportation.

Importantly, the law itself makes clear that municipalities have the authority to go further in protecting residents. Local governments control how city resources are used, how information is shared, and how agencies interact with federal authorities. That means cities and towns have the power to adopt stronger protections to ensure that local resources are not used to separate families or undermine constitutional rights.

“Municipalities can and should go further to protect residents and ensure that local resources are not used to carry out federal immigration enforcement.”

— Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla

Local action has always been a driving force behind immigrant protections in New Jersey — from community members becoming Rapid Responders who show up to defend their neighbors, to residents demanding more from local government by passing ordinances that protect privacy, limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and ensure that public services remain accessible to everyone.

Introduction

Purpose of This Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to help communities across New Jersey organize and win stronger local protections for immigrant residents. It provides practical guidance on building local teams, speaking at city council meetings, and introducing ICE Out ordinances that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Our goal is to equip communities with the tools they need to organize locally and pass policies that protect their neighbors.

How to Use This Toolkit

This toolkit supports community members, organizers, and organizations who want to advocate for stronger immigrant protections in their municipalities. Whether you are just beginning to organize or already part of an active team, the tools in this guide can help you build a strategy to pass local ICE Out ordinances. You do not need to complete every step in order; communities can adapt the strategies based on their local context and political landscape.

Many of the most effective local campaigns are led by small groups of committed residents working together. This toolkit encourages communities to organize collectively, uplift the voices of those most impacted, and build broad support among neighbors, faith leaders, educators, workers, and local community. Passing an ordinance often takes persistence. Some communities may succeed quickly, while others may need to organize over several months. Together, communities across New Jersey can build stronger protections and ensure that local governments use their power to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all residents.

Strategy

Our Theory of Change

Our campaign is rooted in a simple belief: local grassroots organizing builds the power needed to win the changes we need. Organizing locally is about building the conditions needed to win stronger protections for immigrant communities across New Jersey.

It educates and engages the community

Local campaigns create opportunities for residents to learn about the issues affecting immigrant communities and to become involved in the democratic process. Community meetings, city council hearings, and local actions bring people together to share stories, understand the stakes, and take collective action.

It brings new people into leadership

Local organizing allows neighbors, students, faith leaders, workers, and community members to step forward and become advocates for their communities. Through organizing, people gain knowledge about the unfair immigration system, learn new skills, and gain experience engaging with elected officials.

It forces elected officials to take positions

When communities advocate for policies like ICE Out ordinances, local elected officials must publicly decide where they stand. These moments of decision create transparency and accountability. Residents can see who supports protections for immigrant communities and who does not.

It builds accountability that reaches the state level

State legislators represent specific towns and cities. When organizing happens locally, those legislators become aware of what their constituents care about and understand that their actions at the state level will be noted.

It builds the power needed to win statewide change

As more communities organize locally, the movement grows. Local campaigns build relationships, leadership, and public awareness across the state. Over time, this creates the collective pressure needed to push state leaders to adopt stronger protections for our communities.

Our strategy: organize locally for state power and national impact — building momentum town by town until the political landscape shifts.

Get Organized

Building Your Local Team

Start with a core group of 4–7 people

This group becomes the core team that plans strategy, coordinates outreach, and leads the campaign. Not everyone needs organizing experience — what matters most is commitment and willingness to work together.

        Your core team may include:
        Community members directly impacted by immigration policies
Faith leaders
Educators or students
Labor members or workers
Local advocates and organizers
Neighbors who care about immigrant rights

      

Not everyone needs organizing experience. What matters most is commitment and willingness to work together!

Identify Key Roles

These are possible roles — your team may adapt them depending on your needs. Organizing works best when responsibilities are shared. Strong campaigns are built when people share responsibility and trust each other's leadership.

Team Coordinator

Helps keep the organizing process moving. Schedules meetings, checks in on progress, and ensures the campaign moves forward — without making decisions for the group or telling people what to do.

Research Coordinator

Organizes the information-gathering process about the city council and local political landscape. Coordinates a power analysis, maps allies, and identifies persuadable council members — working collectively, not alone.

City Council Point Person

Ensures communication with council members happens through the people with the strongest relationships. Coordinates outreach and conversations, keeping communication respectful, consistent, and strategic. There may be multiple people in this role.

Speakers Coordinator

Helps coordinate public testimony during city council meetings. Helps speakers prepare their comments, coordinates talking points so speakers highlight different aspects, and connects speakers with writing support as needed.

Turnout Coordinator

Focuses on ensuring strong attendance at city council meetings — aiming for 10–20 speakers when possible. Checks in with people to see who they will invite and ensures residents show up visibly to demonstrate community support.

Outreach (Everyone)

Outreach is a responsibility shared by everyone on the team. Our power comes from people, and that power grows through relationships. Make space in meetings to discuss outreach. Even something simple, like a potluck at a park, can help strengthen the relationships that sustain a campaign.

Direct Action

Building Power Through Direct Action

To win what our communities need, we must apply consistent pressure on our targets. Change rarely happens after a single protest or letter-writing campaign. Instead, victories are built over time by creating a rhythm of action that decision-makers cannot ignore.

One of the most effective ways to apply this pressure is through direct action. As the Ruckus Society explains, direct action isn't just about protest — it serves specific strategic functions within a larger campaign, such as sounding an alarm, reinforcing a message, escalating tactics when negotiations stall, or boosting morale after a setback.

Learn the strategic functions of direct action

The Functions of Direct Action — Ruckus Society →

The Key to Sustained Pressure: A Campaign Timeline

A single action, no matter how powerful, is rarely enough. To win, you need a campaign timeline that maps out escalating actions over weeks or months. This ensures there is always some form of pressure on your target — whether it's attending council meetings, a boycott, a creative disruption, or a negotiation deadline.

Think of your campaign as a story with rising action, climaxes, and strategic pauses. A timeline helps you:

      Pace your actions so you don't exhaust your volunteers too quickly.
Escalate pressure if the target ignores your initial demands.
Celebrate small wins and learn from setbacks.
Coordinate multiple tactics so that when one action ends, another begins.

    

Sometimes the hardest part of building a campaign is imagining what to do next. Fortunately, you don't have to start from scratch. The classic resource 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action (by Dr. Gene Sharp) provides a vast menu of proven tactics — from marches and vigils to boycotts, strikes, sit-ins, and creative symbolic actions.

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action — Albert Einstein Institution →

Remember: Direct actions are most powerful when they are part of a strategic campaign, not isolated events. Use a campaign timeline to plan, ensuring that your target feels relentless, strategic pressure until your community wins.

Support Our Families

Selvin Martínez

"Selvin is a good man, a good son, a good brother, a good husband, and above all, a great father. He is not an alien; he is simply a man who left early to work to bring home the daily bread. Selvin is an honest and loving man; Selvin is a human being asking for a chance to return home..."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Emmanuel

"My husband was involved in a workplace accident and was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which the muscles suffer severe damage and begin to break down, releasing toxic substances into the bloodstream. He is undergoing treatment, needs constant rest, and cannot engage in physical exertion. We now need to cover the costs of a lawyer for the ICE case."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Nicolas Carranza Herrera

"Nicolas is one of 300+ people on hunger and work strike within Delaney Hall since May 22nd, drawing attention to abuses including rotten food, denial of medical care, and denial of legal counsel. The strikers are calling for the total shutdown of the facility."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Jorge Raymundo

"Jorge, a hardworking father of three, was detained at Delaney Hall after ICE was reportedly called during a fingerprint appointment. His wife Tatiana and their children are struggling to survive without him, and their babies require special milk due to stomach problems."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Fredy Paz

"My father would take my sisters to school, pick them up, and bring us to church. Now, without him, we are missing him a lot. My sisters are confused and worried where their father is."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Klever

"Our youngest daughter Jarely was born prematurely and was diagnosed with Congenital microcephaly. So she has cerebral and speech therapy and neurologist appointments to keep up weekly. Our 10 year old was part of a kidnapping, which is part of the reason we had to flee our country. He struggles trying to forget the past, so he's currently also going to therapy every week. My husband Klever used to work in construction. He went out to work and never came back after he was detained by ICE."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Wilmer Solís

"Eight months ago, he was abducted by ICE during a scheduled immigration appointment. His daughter and family miss him every day; she prays to God constantly for the return of her father."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Francisco Tejada

"My brother-in-law was detained by ICE while heading to work. His mother is very ill, his nieces and nephews are struggling, and one of my own children — who has autism — is suffering greatly."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Pablo Hugo

"My father is a devoted family man who raised us with the values of respect, honesty, and compassion. He is a loving father and a proud grandfather who dedicates precious time to his granddaughters."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Giovanni de Jesús Lucero Bravo

"Giovanni came to the US when he was only five years old. He suffered from encephalitis as an infant and has two lovely kids. Even with his limited capacity, he built a wonderful life here."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Efren Cortez Velez

"When it came down to his daughters, he was ready to do anything for them. Right now he is in ICE custody. I hope anyone reading this can help — especially for my three sisters who still need him."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Christian Guevara

"ICE repeatedly rammed his van to force him to stop, causing a serious accident. When they caught him, they beat him, leaving him with numerous bruises. He is now held at Elizabeth Detention Center."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Modesto Grande

"I'm only 12 and I have two more siblings. My sister is 8 with Angel Man Syndrome — it's difficult to give her to someone else to take care of her. My dad helped us a lot and worked hard to help with rent and bills."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Washington Marcelo Murillo Castillo

"Washington complied with all immigration requirements for nearly three years, but was detained during his credible fear interview. He has been held at Delaney Hall for more than 8 months."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Rental Assistance for Families

"We need help raising money for rental assistance since many families were affected by the atrocious situations happening. We have help from communities to donate for their living situations. Let's give people hope that they are not alone! Everything being earned in their regular pages is going towards legal fees but this GoFundMe will be going towards rental assistance to the families affected."

Donate on GoFundMe →

Legislation

Pueblo to Pueblo Protections via Local Legislation

The ICE out of NJ collective is fighting for local ordinances that support and empower residents impacted by harmful ICE actions and immigration enforcement practices. Developed by directly impacted community members, these ordinances are intended to address gaps left in existing state protections by creating stronger local safeguards and support systems.

The proposed legislation includes:

Prohibiting ICE from using city resources & training city employees on Know Your Rights

·The city will prohibit ICE from staging on city property and will not use its resources for ICE investigations.
·City employees will be trained to demand a warrant, will know police & ICE cannot collaborate, and will call the rapid response hotline.
·The city will share local rapid response hotlines and immigrant rights toolkits on their website and via mass messaging systems.

Fund community care

·The city will fund local community centers who are supporting families impacted by changes in federal policies & protocols.

Legal support now

·The city will offer free legal counseling to community members directly impacted by ICE actions.

Language justice for all

·The city will provide interpreters for city council meetings.

No detention centers or processing centers

·The city will not engage in business practices with federal immigration companies or authorities.

Together, these ordinances build on New Jersey's Immigrant Trust protections by creating a more comprehensive, accountable, and community-centered framework at the local level. Collectively, they would help foster a safer, more informed, and more inclusive community by strengthening trust between residents and local government, expanding civic participation, protecting due process rights, and making city services more accessible regardless of language or immigration status.

View Proposed Legislation →

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Have a question, want to get involved, or need to reach the coalition? Use the form below or email us directly.

info@iceoutofnj.org

Name

Subject

Message

Send Message

ICE Out of New Jersey

Our Demands

No Polimigra

No Detention Centers

ICE Out of Everywhere

Full Legal Funds

Our Coalition

New Jersey Actions

Add an Action

Updates

Stand with immigrant communities in New Jersey

Our Toolkit

Why Local Action

Introduction

Purpose of This Toolkit

How to Use This Toolkit

Our Theory of Change

It educates and engages the community

It brings new people into leadership

It forces elected officials to take positions

It builds accountability that reaches the state level

It builds the power needed to win statewide change

Building Your Local Team

Start with a core group of 4–7 people

Your core team may include:

Identify Key Roles

Building Power Through Direct Action

Learn the strategic functions of direct action

The Key to Sustained Pressure: A Campaign Timeline

Support Our Families

Pueblo to Pueblo Protections via Local Legislation

Prohibiting ICE from using city resources & training city employees on Know Your Rights

Fund community care

Legal support now

Language justice for all

No detention centers or processing centers

Contact Us