The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey is urging state lawmakers and Governor Phil Murphy to strengthen protections for civil liberties and vulnerable communities in the upcoming fiscal year budget, warning of renewed threats from the Trump administration.
In a public message released Friday, the ACLU said New Jersey must use its FY26 budget to serve as a “firewall” against what it described as federal attacks on health, rights, and justice. The organization identified immigration legal services, tenant protections, and equitable cannabis reinvestment as top funding priorities.
“Right now, state lawmakers are determining how New Jerseyan’s tax dollars will be spent,” the statement read. “This year, it’s more important than ever to ensure New Jersey builds a firewall against attacks by the Trump administration on our fundamental rights.”
The group called for increased funding to the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative, raising the appropriation to $19.5 million to meet growing demand for legal services for immigrants. The program provides publicly funded legal representation for individuals in immigration detention, a service not guaranteed under federal law.
The ACLU also emphasized the need to reinvest in communities affected by marijuana criminalization. It asked lawmakers to ensure that funding flows to “impact zones” identified under New Jersey’s 2021 cannabis legalization law, where residents have been disproportionately harmed by past enforcement practices.
ACLU outlines policy funding demands tied to equity and access
In housing, the group pressed for the restoration of state funding to law school clinical programs that assist low- and moderate-income tenants in eviction proceedings. This proposal aligns with a broader push to establish a right to counsel for tenants, which housing advocates say is essential amid rising rents and limited affordable housing availability.
Language access was also a major point in the ACLU’s appeal. The organization called for expanded funding to implement the state’s new language access law, which aims to remove barriers to government services for New Jersey residents who speak limited or no English. Advocates argue that full implementation is necessary to ensure fair access to public programs.
While the ACLU did not name specific legislative sponsors, it framed its call to action as a challenge to New Jersey to lead nationally. “New Jersey can set a national example by building a state budget that centers equity and justice,” the statement said.
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The ACLU’s message reflects broader efforts by advocacy groups to influence budget priorities in the face of political shifts at the federal level as the presidential election approaches.