June 5th, 2025
Contributor: Paris Lee

Navigating your way around the U.S. immigration landscape these days can be extremely daunting, especially with the seismic and rapid policy shifts introduced in 2025. Whether you are an immigrant residing in New Jersey or considering making the Garden State your home, staying abreast of the current law is crucial. Here are the top five immigration changes this year that could impact you or your loved ones.

  1. New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive and Its Interaction with Federal Enforcement

Since 2019, New Jersey has implemented the Immigrant Trust Directive, which limits cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities like ICE. This directive aims to build trust between immigrant communities and local police by ensuring that individuals are not deterred from reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement due to fear of immigration consequences.

Under this directive, local law enforcement agencies are generally prohibited from:

  • Stopping, questioning, arresting, or detaining individuals based solely on actual or suspected immigration status.
  • Providing ICE with access to detained individuals unless presented with a valid judicial warrant.
  • Sharing personal information with federal immigration authorities unless required by law.

However, it is important to note that this directive does not prevent ICE from conducting its operations independently within the state. Additionally, the future of the Immigrant Trust Directive is uncertain, as upcoming gubernatorial elections may influence its continuation or possible repeal.

What This Means for New Jersey Residents:

  • If you are stopped or charged with an offense in New Jersey, local police are generally not authorized to inquire into your immigration status or detain you solely for immigration enforcement purposes.
  • However, if you have prior immigration violations or are a target of a federal immigration investigation, ICE may still take independent action.
  • It is crucial to consult with an immigration attorney to understand your rights and any potential risks.

  1. Revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Certain Nationalities

In a landmark decision on May 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the federal government to terminate Humanitarian Parole for over 500,000 foreign nationals from countries including Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Humanitarian parole was a form of relief enacted under the Biden Administration that allowed individuals from certain countries to enter the US temporarily due to humanitarian concerns. Without the temporary protection that parole affords, thousands of immigrants currently here under this program will now be exposed to potential deportation.

What This Means for New Jersey Residents:

  • Individuals from the affected countries residing in New Jersey should consult with an immigration attorney promptly to explore alternative legal avenues.

  1. Proposed Restrictions on Asylum Seekers' Work Authorization

The administration has proposed changes that would pause the issuance of work permits for asylum seekers until their claims are fully adjudicated—a process that can take many years given the significant backlog in cases. Currently, asylum applicants can apply for work authorization after 150 days, provided their cases have been pending for at least 180 days. The proposed rule would extend the waiting period to one year post-application, leaving many without legal means to support themselves during this time. This proposal is in addition to an already released Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) memo that authorizes Immigration Judges to pretermit, or essentially dismiss without a hearing, any asylum cases that fail to establish sufficient evidence to warrant further exploration.

Implications:

  • Asylum seekers in New Jersey may not only face financial hardships due to delayed work authorization but possibly have their cases summarily dismissed by the courts. Should that happen, they face possible removal unless they qualify for and have applied for an alternative form of relief.

  1. Implementation of a New Travel Ban

On June 4, 2025, the administration enacted a travel ban restricting entry from 12 countries, citing national security concerns. The twelve countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Other countries which will undergo severe restrictions include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Additionally, foreign students have been barred from obtaining visas to attend certain U.S. universities, including most notably, Harvard.

Impact on New Jersey:

  • New Jersey's diverse immigrant population may be affected, especially those with family or educational ties to the restricted countries.

  1. Legislation Making DUI Offenses Grounds for Deportation

In early 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act" (H.R. 875), which seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. If enacted, this legislation would make any non-citizen convicted of, or admitting to, an offense for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or impaired inadmissible and deportable, regardless of whether the offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony under state law. Additionally, the bill provides that a conviction is not necessarily required if there is an admission of facts which constitute the essential elements of the crime. This is definitely a bill to keep your eyes on.

What This Means for New Jersey Residents:

  • Non-citizens in New Jersey, including lawful permanent residents, could face deportation for DUI offenses.
  • It's essential to seek legal counsel if you are charged with or have a history of DUI offenses.

Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive, Stay Protected

From increased enforcement risks to more rigid eligibility rules, the immigration landscape in 2025 is shifting rapidly. For residents of New Jersey, state protections do exist for the time being—but federal laws and policies still have enormous power to affect your future.

If you're concerned about your immigration status or a recent legal issue, contact our office at www.njimmigrationattorney.com for a confidential consultation