Note: please note that this issue brief should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement

• Link here to the Victim Rights for Undocumented Residents overview page for the goal statement related to this issue brief 

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

• The percentage of undocumented residents in New Jersey increased 14 percent between 2000 and 2006, with the amount of increasing by 48 percent in Mercer County alone.^[1]

• Approximately 476,000 undocumented immigrants reside in New Jersey.^[2]   
• Undocumented immigrants are less likely to depend on the law enforcement because they fear deportation, lack confidence in law enforcement, and may be uninformed about available resources^[3]

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Past Policy  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.

Current Policy  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

Policy Options   

• Link here to the Victim Rights for Undocumented Residents overview page for the policy options and/or model programs related to this issue brief 

Key Organizations/Individuals   contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals

• Non-Profit 

  • American Civil Liberties Union of NJ - An organization committed to protecting civil liberties for all people in the United States.

  • NJ Immigration Policy Network - An organization to protect immigrant rights and dedicated to making immigrants and integral part of the nation. 

  •  

• Elected Leaders

  • Robert Menendez, United States Senator, New Jersey 

                Contact:

                     528 Hart Senate Office Building

                     Washington, D.C. 20510

                      (202) 224 - 4744

  •  Frank Lautenberg, United States Senator, New Jersey

                Contact:

                   324 Hart Senate Office Building

                   Washington, D.C. 20510

                   (202) 224 - 3224 

Glossary of Terms

• Link here to the Victim Rights for Undocumented Residents overview page for the glossary of terms related to this issue brief 

Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material 

Footnotes

1. Mann, A. R. (2008, June). New Jersey Policy Perspective: the Faces of Immigration in Mercer County. Retrieved May 2009, from http://www.mccc.edu/pdf/eng024/Class%2017/class%2017%20article%202%20faces%20of%20immigration%20in%20mercer%20county.pdf ▲
2. Passel, J. S. (2005, March 21). Estimate of the Size and Characteristics of the Undocumented Population. Retrieved May 2009, from Illegal Aliens: http://illegalaliens.us/images/44.pdf ▲
3. Office for Victims of Crime. (2007, March 7). Office for Victims of Crime Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 2009, from Office of Justice Programs: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/factshts/interact.htm ▲