Latino Action Network President and President Emeritus Javier Robles and Christian Estevez have released the following statement following Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Sweeney’s pledge to rescind New Jersey’s sanctuary state status if elected:

We deplore Steve Sweeney’s decision to play politics with the lives of thousands of New Jersey residents and their families. Our state is the most diverse in the nation, and at a time when our communities are facing unprecedented attacks from Donald Trump and his MAGA minions, we need elected officials who still stand up for New Jersey values.

Latino Action Network Urges Passage of the Full Immigrant Trust Act to Protect Immigrant Communities and Strengthen Public Safety in New Jersey

Trenton, NJ, January 30, 2025, 

The Latino Action Network (LAN) strongly supports the passage of the Immigrant Trust Act NJ Bill numbers S3672/A4987. This landmarklegislation reaffirms New Jersey’s commitment to protecting immigrant communities while ensuring the state’s resources are used efficiently for the benefit of all residents.

The Immigrant Trust Act prohibits using state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement, ensuring that all New Jersey residents can access essential services—such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement—without fear of deportation, detention, or family separation. This legislation is a critical step toward fostering trust between immigrant communities and public institutions while reinforcing New Jersey’s leadership in immigrant rights. The legislature must pass the full bill to protect the Constitution and our communities.

Latino Action Network Condemns ICE Raid in Newark, Demands End to Aggressive Enforcement Tactics in New Jersey

Posted by Javier Robles · January 25, 2025 12:05 PM · 1 reaction

Understanding Your Rights: What to Do When Law Enforcement Inquires About Your Immigration Status

Navigating interactions with law enforcement regarding your immigration status can be daunting and stressful. Whether you're stopped by police, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or Border Patrol, knowing your rights and how to protect yourself is crucial. This article provides essential guidelines to help you handle such encounters safely and legally.

How to Reduce Risk During Encounters

1. Stay Calm and Composed

   • Remain calm and avoid showing signs of distress.
   • Do not run, argue, resist, or obstruct the officer, even if you believe your rights are being violated.
   • Keep your hands visible to the officers at all times.

2. Honesty is Key

   • Do not lie about your immigration status.
   • Avoid providing false documents or information.

3. Prepare for Possible Arrest

   • Memorize important phone numbers, including those of family members and your lawyer.
   • Develop emergency plans, especially if you have children or require medication.

Know Your Rights

1. Right to Remain Silent

   • You are not obligated to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents, or other officials.
   • Anything you say can be used against you in immigration court.

2. Identification Requirements

   • In some states, you must provide your name when stopped by law enforcement.
   • If you're driving, you must show your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance, but not your immigration status.

3. Search Rights

   • Immigration agents cannot search you or your belongings without your consent or probable cause.
   • You have the right to refuse a search if there is no warrant.

4. Documentation for Non-Citizens

   • If you are not a U.S. citizen and have immigration papers, you must present them when requested by an immigration agent.
   • Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) should maintain their status and carry necessary documents at all times.

Specific Scenarios and Actions

1. Being Stopped While Driving

   • Pull over safely and remain in the vehicle.
   • Provide the required documents but refrain from answering questions about your immigration status.

2. Encounters at Home

   • Keep doors closed and speak to officers through the door.
   • Do not allow entry without a valid judicial search or arrest warrant.
   • Clearly state, “I do not consent to your entry,” if no warrant is presented.

3. Detention Near the Border

   • Remain calm and do not flee.
   • You have the right to remain silent and request an attorney.
   • Agents cannot detain you without reasonable suspicion or probable cause.

4. While in Transit (Airplanes, Buses, Trains)

   • On airplanes, pilots cannot discriminate based on immigration status.
   • On buses and trains, Border Patrol agents may ask for immigration information, which you can decline to answer.

5. During Immigration Proceedings

   • If detained, request a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
   • Always consult with a lawyer before making any decisions or signing documents.

If Your Rights Are Violated

1. Document the Incident

   • Write down all details, including officer badges, patrol car numbers, and agency names.
   • Collect contact information from any witnesses.

2. Seek Medical Attention

   • If injured, obtain medical help immediately and photograph your injuries.

3. File a Complaint

   • Submit a written complaint to the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.
   • Complaints can often be filed anonymously.

Seeking Legal Assistance

• Right to a Lawyer
  • If arrested, you have the right to a government-appointed lawyer.
  • Detained individuals by ICE have the right to consult with a lawyer, though the government does not provide one.
  • Always ask for a list of free or low-cost legal alternatives if needed.

Additional Resources

For more information and assistance, consider reaching out to the following organizations:

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC): Know Your Rights
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center
• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• ACLU Video: What to Do If Stopped by Police or ICE

These organizations offer comprehensive toolkits, legal resources, and multilingual support to help you understand and exercise your rights effectively.

Conclusion

Facing law enforcement inquiries about your immigration status requires calmness, awareness of your rights, and preparedness. By understanding the appropriate actions to take and knowing where to seek help, you can navigate these challenging situations more safely and confidently. Always consider consulting with a legal professional to receive personalized advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal assistance, please consult a qualified attorney.

Information courtesy of National ACLU.

Join Us for the 2025 Latino Action Network Legislative Assembly!

Date: Saturday, March 1st, 2025
Conference Title: Si Se Puede: Saving American Democracy through Resistance, Organizing, & Solidarity

Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

RSVP Here

We are thrilled to invite you to an unforgettable day of collaboration, inspiration, and action at the 2025 Latino Action Network Legislative Assembly!

Last year, we brought together over 300 leaders, activists, and elected officials from across New Jersey. This year, we’re excited to build on that energy with another incredible opportunity to engage with community and political leaders on the pressing issues that matter most. The event begins with registration and a continental breakfast, followed by a welcome session featuring key speakers, including LAN President Javier Robles and state and federal legislative leaders.

Breakout Sessions:
The morning and afternoon are dedicated to breakout sessions focused on key issues:

• Know Your Rights topics include voting rights, ICE raid defense, human trafficking, affordable housing, reproductive health care, protections for unaccompanied minors, school access regardless of immigration status, health care access, and workers’ rights.
• Collective Well-Being sessions emphasize mental health and community care for marginalized groups, including DACA scholars, LGBTQ+ communities, Afro-Latinos, and Latino men's health.

Additional Highlights:

• Lunch and a resource table fair provide opportunities for networking.
• The afternoon features a NJ Bi-Partisan Gubernatorial Panel to discuss pressing policy issues.
• The day concludes with a transition to the Zimmerli Art Museum for coffee, desserts, and an art tour.

The assembly aims to empower Latino communities through education, advocacy, and solidarity, promoting democracy and collective well-being.

What to Expect:

🌟 Dynamic Breakout Sessions
Dive into panels covering a range of critical topics, including:

• Immigration
• Health Equity
• Political Empowerment
• Workers' Rights
• Human Rights
• Mental Health and Wellness
  …and much more!

Participants will have the opportunity to attend two sessions based on their interests and legislative priorities. Stay tuned for detailed session information coming soon!

Why Attend?

This conference is your chance to connect, learn, and collaborate with passionate advocates and leaders working to empower the Latino community across New Jersey. Together, we can shape the future and advance our shared legislative agenda.

Hosted By:

The Latino Action Network (LAN) in partnership with the Latino Action Network Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization.

Don’t miss this inspiring event that promises to leave you informed, empowered, and ready to make an impact!

Warm regards,
The Latino Action Network Conference Team

Cuqui has been a Latina community leader and Criminal Justice Reform Advocate in New Jersey for over 30 years. She is employed by the Puerto Rican Action Board (PRAB) as a Records Coordinator & the Latino Action Network Foundation (LANF) as Programs Director. In addition to her position with LAN, she is Board President of the Anti-Poverty Network and the Campaign Coordinator for the JUNTOS/TOGETHER Puerto Rico Disaster Relief efforts, to name a few. She also has extensive service in Nonprofits, Youth, Community Building & Race Relations. She has also worked at La Casa de Don Pedro as a Case Manager for the Newark Re-Entry program and as the Outreach Manager for the Hispanic Directors Association of NJ.

Carlos Doel Hendricks-Verdejo was born in Trenton, NJ. At age three, his family relocated to Carolina, Puerto Rico, where he would enjoy his formative years. He returned to New Jersey 16 years later and began his studies at Livingston College Rutgers University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Spanish and Puerto Rican Studies. During his years at the bank, he was a student/athlete lettering for the RU baseball team and the Panthers varsity football team of Livingston College. Carlos was also active in several student organizations, such as the Unión Estudiantil Puertorriqueña, El Congreso Estudiantil Latino Americano, Rutgers University Hispanic Coalition (RUHC), and the Paul Robeson Athletic Association (Black Knights), to mention a few. One of his most outstanding achievements is being a charter member of Latinos Siempre Unidos (Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Latino Fraternity, Inc.), which was founded in 1979 at Rutgers University.

Dr. Ann D. Bagchi is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at Rutgers University. Her research focuses on reducing health inequities among members of under-served populations, including those living in poverty, people with limited English proficiency, and people living with HIV. She is also a member of the Latino Coalition of Monmouth County, where she coordinates a soup kitchen in Freehold during the winter months to serve the area's day laborer community and homeless residents.

Daniel Santo Prieto has nearly 25 years of international experience in the non-profit sector, with a focus on community development and advocacy. From 1998 to 2010, he served as Executive Director of the Hispanic Directors Association of NJ (HDANJ), a network of 32 Hispanic-led community organizations. During this time, he contributed to several state commissions, including Governor Whitman's Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Protection Services and the Governor's Early Childhood Advisory Commission. In 2005, he co-chaired Governor Corzine’s Department of Human Services transition advisory group and served on the boards of the NJ Immigration Policy Network and Citizen Action.

A passionate advocate for universal health coverage, Daniel Santo Prieto was a leader in the Consumer Voices for Coverage project, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and worked with the NJ Healthcare Coalition on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. After retiring, he continued his advocacy work as a member of the Steering Committee for the Latino Action Network (LAN), where he helped establish the LAN Foundation and served as Executive Director until relocating to San Diego in 2018.

Daniel Santo Prieto holds a B.A. from Harvard College, was a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil, and completed graduate studies in Political Science and Latin American Studies at Stanford University. Fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish, he is the proud parent of four children and seven grandchildren.