The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Urges the Newly Created Commission on New Americans To Reform Law Enforcement Practices Affecting New Jersey Immigrant Communities
For Immediate Release: January 14, 2010
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) has been at the forefront of recent immigration reform efforts in New Jersey and is pleased to renew its call for comprehensive immigration reform following the implementation of a key recommendation of Governor Jon Corzine’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy (the “Panel”).
On January 12, 2010, Governor Corzine signed an Executive Order establishing the Commission on New Americans (the “Commission”). The Commission will oversee interdepartmental collaboration regarding immigrant integration policies in the State of New Jersey. Some of the responsibilities of the Commission will include advising the Governor on how best to achieve immigrant integration in the delivery of government services, developing a strategy for the implementation of those recommendations and creating a resource guide to support the approximately 1.8 million immigrants seeking to use government resources. Equally important, the Commission’s mandate will include monitoring the implementation of recommendations made by the Panel. Juan Cartagena, Esq., the HBA-NJ’s contributions to the Panel’s work included advocating for reform in the areas of law enforcement and court policies affecting immigrant communities in the state. Frank Argote-Freyre of Freehold will serve as the Commission’s Chair and the HBA-NJ looks forward to working with him.
Miguel Alexander Pozo, HBA-NJ President, applauded the announcement saying, “the establishment of the Commission is a good first step towards achieving the comprehensive immigration reform recommended by the Panel. Still, more remains to be done, especially with regard to the nineteen other recommendations of the Panel that have not been implemented. The HBA-NJ stands ready to assist the Commission to implement its mandate.” Mr. Pozo also emphasized the HBA-NJ’s commitment to immigration reform advocacy by saying that, “the HBA-NJ looks forward to working with the incoming administration and Governor Elect Christopher Christie, and to discussing the goals of the new Governor on this issue.”
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, founded in 1980, is a 501(c)(6) statewide organization that represents attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in addressing the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community. The purpose of the organization is to serve the public interest by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers. The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other bar organizations, with other legal organizations and with other Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.
For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and upcoming events, please visit our website at www.njhba.org.
For press inquiries, please contact Nuris E. Portuondo, Esq., Press Secretary at NPortuondo@ssecz.com or (973)301-001 ext. 207 and Miguel Pozo, Esq., President at mpozo@lowenstein.com or (973) 597-6212.
