Maplewood, NJ
Home MenuImmigration Rights & Community Resources
Maplewood is committed to ensuring that all residents — regardless of immigration status — have access to clear, accurate information about their rights and the Township’s role in federal immigration matters. This page provides verified resources, FAQs, and state‑level tools to help residents stay informed and supported.
Maplewood Immigrant Trust Act
In July 2026, the Maplewood Township Committee is scheduled to adopt Ordinance #4011‑26, the Maplewood Immigrant Trust Act. This ordinance strengthens community trust and ensures that all residents can safely access Township services.
The Act makes clear that Township property, staff time, and resources cannot be used for federal civil immigration enforcement unless required by law or supported by a valid Judicial Warrant. Maplewood Police continue to focus on enforcing State and local laws — not federal civil immigration matters.
Key Points
- Services remain accessible Township services and benefits cannot be conditioned on immigration status. Employees may not ask about immigration status unless required by law. (§44C‑6)
- Township resources are protected Federal immigration agencies may not use Township buildings, facilities, or databases for civil immigration enforcement without a valid Judicial Warrant and review by the Business Administrator, Chief of Police, and Township Attorney. (§44C‑8, §44C‑9)
- Community trust and safety - The ordinance supports public safety by ensuring residents feel safe reporting crimes, seeking help, and engaging with local government.
Maplewood will continue providing clear, multilingual information about residents’ rights and available services as the ordinance is implemented.
Municipal Policy on Use of Township Resources
In alignment with best practices adopted by neighboring municipalities, including Bloomfield’s 2026 resolution, Maplewood affirms the following principles:
- Township property, personnel, and resources are used only for their intended public purposes.
- Maplewood does not voluntarily participate in civil immigration enforcement unless required by law.
- Outside law enforcement agencies seeking access to non‑public municipal spaces must follow established procedures.
- The Township remains committed to public safety, constitutional rights, and community trust.
- Maplewood will continue providing clear, multilingual information to residents.
State of New Jersey Resources
New Jersey Know Your Rights Information Hub
A centralized state website offering multilingual guidance on constitutional protections during interactions with federal immigration agents. http://nj.gov/knowyourrights
NJ Office of the Attorney General – ICE Activity Reporting Portal
Residents may report interactions with ICE that may involve potential misconduct or civil rights concerns. Submissions can include written accounts, photos, or videos. http://www.njoag.gov/portal
NJ Office of New Americans
Provides outreach, education, and legal resources for immigrant communities, including asylum guidance and free legal services for income‑eligible residents. NewAmericans.nj.gov, Phone: (732) 572‑9100 ext. 8782 (non‑detained) Phone: 1‑888‑894‑0612 (detained)
Local & Regional Legal Support Organizations
Maplewood Health Department & Community Support Center
The Health Department's Community Resource Guide provides information on local community organizations and social services for individuals and families.
Help is available for common concerns related to physical, mental or emotional setbacks due to illness, unemployment, housing or food instability, or a lack of transportation. You can email us at HealthDepartment@maplewoodnj.gov.
EOIR List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) maintains a quarterly updated List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for individuals in immigration court proceedings. This resource includes nonprofit organizations, attorneys, and referral services that have committed to offering free legal assistance to eligible individuals. It is designed to help people find trusted legal support during immigration proceedings and improve access to representation. The list is updated four times per year and can be used to identify providers serving specific immigration court locations.
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark
Services: Provides low-cost and pro bono legal assistance for removal defense, asylum, and family petitions. They also offer refugee social services, including cash assistance (RCA), employment readiness, and English language training.
Address: 976 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 733-3516
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Services: Offers free and low-cost legal representation for immigrants in detention or facing deportation. Know Your Rights (KYR) campaign.
Address: 89 Market St, 6th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 643-1924
El Centro Hispano-Americano
Services: nonprofit organization which provides low cost immigration assistance.
Phone Number: (908) 753-8730
La Casa De Don Pedro
Services: Help completing forms, Filings with USCIS, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Family-based petitions, Naturalization/Citizenship
Address: 39 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: (973) 481-4568
NJ Citizen Action
Services: Provides financial justice advocacy for low-income and immigrant families.
Address: 165 Halsey St, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 1-888-654-3893 (Hotline)
https://www.njcitizenaction.org/
Rutgers-Newark Immigrant Rights Clinic
Services: The clinic is currently only taking cases involving New Jersey residents who are currently in removal proceedings.
Phone: (973) 353-5292
https://law.rutgers.edu/professional-skills/clinics/immigrant-rights-clinic
DIRE – Deportation & Immigration Response Equipo
Services: Provides low cost immigration legal services to low-income immigrants and their families, accompaniment to immigration court for those who feel unsafe going alone, and assistance to individual families facing immigration and/or detention crises by pairing community volunteers who can listen and advocate based on individual situations/needs.
Address: 19 South 2nd Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Phone: 1 (888) 347-3767
Know Your Rights Toolkits
ACLU National Know Your Rights - Immigrants’ Rights
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights
ACLU NJ Know Your Rights - what to do if you're approached by immigration officials in NJ
La Casa de Don Pedro Immigrant Resource Center Toolkit
https://lacasadedonpedro.org/immigrant-%20resource-center/
Additional Tools
Federal ICE Detainee Locator System
Locate and track the status of someone who may have been taken into ICE custody.