Initiatives

This initiative advocates for equality in ownership of property regardless of race, citizenship, national origin, and immigration status. In that regard, CIJ has collaborated with racial justice centers at law schools, civil rights organizations, and professional bar associations in supporting constitutional challenges to recent so-called “alien land laws” that states have enacted on the basis of race and national origin. These laws are reminiscent of anti-Asian alien land laws of the early 1900s, which have long been considered violative of the Equal Protection Clause. Challenging these discriminatory laws is essential to ensuring equal access to economic opportunity, protecting immigrant and minoritized communities from systemic exclusion, and affirming the constitutional promise of equality under the law.

We continue to conduct interdisciplinary research to further understand the development of federal and state laws, and how they impact non-citizens and citizens alike. Our “Sanctuary Project” received a grant to conduct research on the state and local implementation of the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Directive (ITD). The "Immigrant Trust Directive Implementation Project" uses the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) to obtain information from state and local government agencies on their implementation of the ITD.

Citizenship Matters is an initiative that promotes the importance of U.S. citizenship. In the Spring 2019, this initiative will begin with a lecture by Professor Martha Jones (Johns Hopkins University) on birthright citizenship. Specifically, discussing her book, "Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America," Professor Jones will lecture about the important role that African Americans played in fighting for U.S. citizenship for free Blacks and formerly enslaved peoples. The remainder of the Spring 2019 will focus on promoting the acquisition of citizenship. In partnership with the New York Historical Society, CILPJ will offer free citizenship classes every Tuesday and Thursday, between 5:30 and 7:30 PM, beginning on March 12th and ending on April 25th. Please join us in supporting citizenship for all!

This project explores the legal, cultural and political meaning of “sanctuary” laws, policies and practices in New Jersey.