Jersey City Defense Plan

Defending Jersey City From Trump’s Federal Overreach

The problem

Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, Jersey City has faced direct harm from federal policies targeting our immigrant families, workers, and economy. Mass deportations have torn apart households. Tariffs have driven up prices and shuttered small businesses. And sweeping federal layoffs are leaving our neighbors without jobs, benefits, or support.

This is not governance. It's open warfare on cities like ours.

While others debate in Washington, Jersey City must act.

“If nobody can stop this at the federal level, we will do everything in our power to stop it here.”

Our solutions

  • Protect Our Immigrants

    • Jersey City has long refused to cooperate with ICE beyond what federal law requires. But now we must go further: training local agencies on legal boundaries, working with schools to ensure ICE cannot access students, and funding legal defense for immigrants facing deportation. We will guarantee that federal court orders are respected and enforced. No family will be removed from our city without due process.

  • Support Federal Workers

    • We will stand with workers targeted by DOGE layoffs. Our plan will establish a Federal Worker Recovery Program, offering job training, placement support, and emergency financial assistance. We will partner with state agencies to move displaced workers into public service roles. If Washington won't respect public servants, Jersey City will.

  • Shield Small Businesses

    • We will blunt the impact of Trump’s tariffs with direct support to small businesses. We will create a Tariff Relief Fund to provide grants and tax relief to businesses struggling with cost increases. And we’ll expand rent and utility assistance to help keep our storefronts open.

  • Codify Resistance

    • We will fight back politically. We will introduce a Safe City Ordinance to codify our resistance to ICE collaboration and protect the privacy of our residents. And we will work with state legislators to pass the Immigrant Trust Act and oppose the Liberation Day tariffs through city resolution.