New Jersey Adds $12M for Immigration Detention Legal Defense

New Jersey Adds $12M for Immigration Detention Legal Defense

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The state says the funding will expand representation for low-income residents facing immigration detention or deportation and create a rapid-response legal network through the Office of New Americans.

MORRISTOWN, NJ – New Jersey is adding $12 million to its state-backed immigration legal defense program, bringing the Detention Deportation Defense Initiative to $20.2 million and creating a new rapid-response legal effort for residents facing detention, deportation or emergency federal litigation, according to an announcement from Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office.

The announcement, made June 4, 2026, expands a program that provides legal representation to low-income New Jersey residents in immigration detention or removal proceedings. State officials said the additional funding will support services for more detainees, including low-income detainees at Delaney Hall, the Newark immigration detention facility operated by The GEO Group Inc.

“As the Trump Administration makes it more difficult for members of our community to challenge detention and deportation, access to qualified legal representation has never been more important,” said Governor Sherrill.

The new Rapid Legal Response Initiative, led by the Office of New Americans in the state Department of Human Services, is meant to increase statewide legal capacity for habeas corpus petitions, emergency stays of removal, challenges to certain deportations and other federal litigation tied to immigration enforcement.

Local Angle

For Morristown-area readers, the announcement is a statewide legal-services story with local practical relevance. Residents, attorneys, schools, social-service organizations and faith communities may encounter families trying to find legal help during a detention or removal case.

Census data show 22.5% of Morristown residents and 19.8% of Morris County residents were foreign-born from 2020 to 2024, a category that includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary visa holders and people without legal status.

The state said the funding increase will expand the availability of counsel for low-income New Jerseyans, including detainees at Delaney Hall. The state also said the increase is expected to double services and help hundreds more people obtain representation.

The Detention Deportation Defense Initiative, known as DDDI, began in 2018 and is run through partnerships with legal service providers including Legal Services of New Jersey, the American Friends Service Committee, Rutgers Law School and Seton Hall Law School. The state and Seton Hall describe the program as a response to a basic difference between criminal court and immigration court. People in deportation proceedings generally do not have a guaranteed government-appointed attorney if they cannot afford one.

Seton Hall Law says the program followed earlier research showing that only about one-third of detainees in New Jersey had legal representation during the period studied. The state funded a pilot project after that report, and the program has since been renewed through state funding.

The new rapid response program is aimed at a different legal need. State officials said many immigration legal service providers have experience in immigration court, but limited capacity for federal litigation and emergency habeas matters. Habeas corpus petitions are court filings that challenge a person’s detention and ask a judge to review whether the detention is lawful.

The Office of New Americans said the rapid response effort will recruit and train attorneys, expand emergency legal support capacity and coordinate rapid legal response work statewide. Attorneys interested in volunteering may sign up through the Office of New Americans’ Rapid Legal Response Initiative. The state said attorney trainings are expected to begin before the end of June 2026 and may qualify for Continuing Legal Education credit.

Delaney Hall

The announcement comes during continued scrutiny of Delaney Hall, a Newark facility used for immigration detention. On June 2, the state filed a lawsuit against GEO Group, saying the company had refused to give New Jersey Department of Health inspectors full access to the facility after a limited inspection on May 28. According to the state, inspectors were allowed inside but were blocked from reviewing the medical unit, sleeping areas, bathing areas and toilet areas.

“If the GEO Group — with a $1 billion government contract — has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and as sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump Administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building,” said Governor Sherrill. 

The state’s lawsuit asks a court to order full access for health inspectors. State officials said the inspection request followed reports from detainees, relatives and advocacy groups about conditions inside the facility. Those claims include allegations of spoiled food, lack of hygiene products, medical-care concerns and possible illness inside the facility.

“Any facility housing people in New Jersey must meet basic standards under the law to prevent the spread of disease, keep food and water safe, and minimize health risks. That includes Delaney Hall,” said Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington. 

Those allegations remain disputed. The Associated Press reported that the Trump administration has defended conditions at Delaney Hall and denied claims of a hunger strike, abuse or poor conditions. AP also reported that GEO Group has rejected criticism of the facility and described the campaign against it as politically motivated.

The protests around Delaney Hall have also led to arrests and public-safety concerns. AP reported that more than 80 people had been arrested following protests outside the facility, where demonstrators said they were supporting detainees over alleged living conditions. Law enforcement officials have said some protesters attempted to block vehicles and that officers were injured during clashes. Protesters and some public officials have raised concerns about law enforcement tactics used during the demonstrations.

The legal defense funding announced June 4 does not change immigration enforcement policy by itself. It funds legal representation and emergency court work for eligible New Jersey residents facing detention or deportation.

Resources:

The Office of New Americans says people who know a New Jersey resident detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can use the DDDI referral form, and people in ICE custody or those referring someone in custody can also call detention hotlines operated by the American Friends Service Committee and Legal Services of New Jersey.

The Office of New Americans also lists free and reduced-cost legal resources for non-detained immigration matters, a legal representation program for immigrant children and youth under 21, and Know Your Rights materials in multiple languages.

In Morris County, the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs operates a Center for Citizenship and Legal Immigration in Dover that provides legal representation to unaccompanied minors, victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes, and seniors seeking citizenship or naturalization assistance. MCOHA also says it provides Know Your Rights presentations on immigration topics. The organization lists a Morristown office at 23 Clyde Potts Drive, though its legal immigration center is listed at the Dover office.

Morristown’s municipal website also maintains a Know Your Rights page for immigration enforcement, linking to English and Spanish materials for individuals, organizations and businesses, along with the Office of New Americans’ state resources.

Residents seeking help should use official state or nonprofit intake channels for current eligibility rules, hours and referral instructions. Attorneys interested in volunteering through the rapid-response effort can use the Office of New Americans’ Rapid Legal Response Initiative page or contact the program through Seton Hall Law.

More Resources:

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