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Dear Neighbors,
This past week was a short one in D.C. The President delivered his State of the Union Address on Tuesday. I instead attended the People's State of the Union to hear about the concerns of everyday Americans that the President chose to ignore.
We've got some exciting events coming up in the next few weeks. Learn more below.
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Hybrid Office Hours
My office will be holding Hybrid office hours at the Hopewell Branch of the Mercer County Library on Thursday, March 12th, from 11AM to 2PM and on zoom. You can RSVP here.
Passport Clinic
Due to high demand, a second passport has been added at Monument Hall in Princeton, NJ for March 26th, from 1PM to 6PM. If you need assistance with a new passport or a passport renewal, please RSVP here.
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People's State of the Union
On Tuesday, while President Trump delivered his State of the Union address, I joined hundreds of people on the National Mall (with hundreds of thousands watching at home) for the People’s State of the Union. I was joined by Nedia Morsy, the Director of Make the Road NJ
In New Jersey, families are worried about affording their groceries, rising prescription drug costs, and losing access to healthcare coverage that has become even more expensive after Republicans allowed the ACA subsidies to expire. While Americans are worried about putting food on the table, they also must worry whether their government is focused on their well-being or on harassing their Black and brown neighbors.
What we are seeing from this administration is a pattern of distraction and distortion while working families continue to absorb the consequences. Americans are focused on affordability, access to care, and the safety of their communities and families. These are the issues that determine the real state of our union, and those of us who care deeply about our country will be standing together in solidarity to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.
You can watch the entire People’s State of the Union here.
ICE Activity in Trenton
Today, Resistencia en Accion NJ hosted a Press Conference at Saint Bart's church in response to last week’s U.S. Marshal-led operation in Trenton, where one person was taken into custody by U.S. Marshal and two other individuals were taken by ICE. During this operation, security footage from the shop that shows agents pinning a worker against a chemical shelf and deliberately blocking cameras to hide their actions.
As we know, this is part of a broader, increasingly dangerous problem with how DHS has been operating. I have pushed for stronger oversight and guardrails on immigration enforcement because I have watched this agency move further and further away from basic humane standards. I want answers from DHS and ICE. I want to know who authorized this operation, what legal basis they relied on, and why agents believed it was acceptable to cover security cameras during it.
The people affected by these operations are workers and families. They are part of the fabric of this state. New Jersey has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, and we do not accept fear or intimidation as a governing tool here. NJ deserves better. Trenton deserves respect. The people who live and work here deserve to be treated with dignity. That is the standard I expect, and that is the standard I will fight for.
Appropriations Requests
I have announced my deadline for submissions for appropriations requests for fiscal year 2027. These funds can be used by municipalities to repair roads, upgrade public safety, and complete community centers among other projects. Applications are open to counties and municipalities, as well as certain non-profits that serve 12th District residents.
For more information, click here.
Passport Clinic - Part 2
Last week's Passport Clinic saw over 100 residents come out for help renewing their passports, applying for new passports, and even getting their passport photos taken. Demand was so high we've added a second passport clinic for Thursday, March 26th, from 1PM to 6PM.
To RSVP, please click here. |