November 13, 2026

(TRENTON) – Governor Mikie Sherrill and Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha today announced the full allocation of $20.2 million in funding across 10 legal services providers to provide legal representation and related support services to eligible New Jersey residents facing immigration detention, deportation, and removal proceedings, through the expanded Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative (DDDI). 

“Everyone in this country is entitled to due process and a fair hearing under the law –regardless of where they were born. With the Trump Administration ramping up ICE activity and creating impossible obstacles for people facing detention and deportation to navigate alone, New Jersey is stepping up to connect residents with qualified legal counsel and equip more attorneys to take on this vital work,” said Governor Sherrill. “Our immigrant community should not have to face a complex and daunting legal system without anyone in their corner. I am proud that my Administration has quickly mobilized State resources and partnerships to help put legal counsel in reach for those who have been impacted by the federal government’s detrimental immigration policies.”

“Access to legal representation upholds due process and promotes fairer, more efficient immigration proceedings,” Commissioner Cha said. “I am grateful to Governor Sherrill and the Legislature for recognizing the growing need for these services and making the largest investment in the program’s history. As ICE activity continues to impact immigrant communities, we remain committed to ensuring that those facing detention or deportation have meaningful access to counsel and the opportunity to be heard.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative has provided free, expert legal representation to low-income residents facing detention and deportation through State-funded legal services programs. Human Services issues grants to pro-bono legal services providers who deliver services to clients from New Jersey. The initiative was established in partnership with community-based legal services providers including Legal Services of New Jersey, American Friends Service Committee, Rutgers Law School, and Seton Hall Law School, with implementation overseen by the Office of New Americans (ONA). Together, the program functions to address the lack of guaranteed legal counsel in immigration removal proceedings. Unlike defendants in the criminal justice system, individuals in deportation cases generally do not have the right to a government-appointed attorney.  In June, Governor Sherrill announced DDDI’s expansion, increasing the State’s funding for the program from $8.2 million to $20.2 million, nearly triple the amount available in past fiscal years.

Recent ICE actions and expanded detention and deportation practices have increased the number of individuals facing prolonged detention without access to bond hearings or other procedural protections, raising significant due process and constitutional concerns. The $20.2 million investment in DDDI will expand access to legal services for more low-income unrepresented New Jerseyans throughout the state, including for all low-income detainees in Delaney Hall, without existing legal representation.

Complementing DDDI and the ongoing Legal Services for Children and Youth Program in partnership with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the Governor also launched the Rapid Legal Response Initiative (RLRI) in June to expand statewide legal capacity for emergency immigration defense and support immigrant families across New Jersey. Led by the Office of New Americans with trainings by Seton Hall University, the Rapid Legal Response Initiative recruits, trains, and supports volunteer attorneys while connecting experienced federal litigators with immigration practitioners. Through this effort, more than 150 attorneys have already participated in legal defense training efforts to strengthen statewide capacity for habeas corpus petitions, federal litigation, and emergency legal interventions. Any licensed attorney in good standing may volunteer to join the effort by completing the intake form.

“New Jersey is committed to expanding access to legal counsel and strengthening the State's detention and deportation defense network amid continued ICE enforcement,” Deputy Commissioner for Social Services Michael J. Wilson said. “As these organizations undertake this work, we will support them in building on their existing expertise and preparing to meet the growing need for legal services. Together, we can expand our reach and ensure that individuals navigating these proceedings do not have to face these challenges alone.”

The $20.2 million available in FY27 is fully allocated among the following providers:

Current providers – approximately $13 million:

·         Legal Services of New Jersey and subgrantees American Friends Service Committee, Seton Hall University School of Law, and Rutgers University School of Law.

New providers:

·         Experienced Removal Defense Providers – approximately $5 million:

o        New Jersey Office of the Public Defender

o        Church World Service

o        NJ Consortium for Immigrant Children

·         Removal Defense Capacity Expansion Providers – approximately $1.2 million:

o        Immigration and American Citizenship Organization

o        Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Newark

·         Coordinating Entity – approximately $1 million:

o        International Rescue Committee

To expand capacity as quickly as possible, ONA increased funding for existing providers under their current contracts while moving forward with a competitive procurement to expand the program, which was announced in late August, with preliminary award letters issued to selected bidders in late October. Final award letters were sent the week of November 9 pending the completion of the appeals and negotiations process. Selected vendors will need time to hire attorneys and expand staffing before they can deliver services at full capacity.

“The ONA has continued to grow and advocate for the DDDI program, because we recognize the critical need for these services in our immigrant community,” ONA Director Johanna Calle said. “I am grateful to the returning organizations increasing their work and the new partners joining this effort—together expanding our collective impact. We are here to support them as they strengthen their capacity to make immigration legal services accessible to those who need them most.”

Any New Jersey resident detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and in need of legal support should complete the DDDI referral form available at https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njnewamericans/legal/dddi/.

If you are seeking representation for an unaccompanied child, the Legal Representation for Children and Youth Program is available – complete the online referral form or call 201-305-9217.

Additional resources:  

·         Free and reduced-cost legal services: Available through pro bono attorneys. A list of pro bono providers can be found here.

·         Know Your Rights Resources: Available here. Downloadable information is available in 22 languages.

·         Guidance issued by ONA and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs explains how individuals can find safe legal assistance, recognize potential immigration scams, and file a complaint if they have been victimized. The guidance provides practical information to help individuals protect themselves and their immigration cases from fraud and exploitation. Report immigration scams to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting https://njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/file-a-complaint/.