Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. is spearheading the campaign for a statewide earned sick days law. Our coalition’s persistent efforts, including writing letters and frequent meetings with legislators, continues to be the force driving this legislation forward.

President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration was scheduled to go into effect today. However, anti-immigration interests have filed a lawsuit, delaying implementation of the policy that would allow 3.7 million undocumented immigrant parents to apply for deportation relief and keep their families from being torn apart.

The opening of a second We Are One New Jersey Center is a tremendous opportunity for thousands more immigrant families seeking to become U.S. citizens, obtain a greater knowledge of the democratic process, and exercise their voices at the ballot box. The Union County center, which is located in the City of Elizabeth, will also provide comprehensive educational/guidance services including preparatory classes for the U.S. citizenship test, DACA application assistance, and consultation on current immigration policies and workplace rights. All of the center’s services are provided at low- or no-cost. For more information visit: www.weareonenj.org.

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Enactment of a statewide earned sick days law in New Jersey is an economic and moral imperative for all families in our state. It is for this reason that Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. – a coalition of over 256 union, community, progressive, and faith-based grassroots organizations – is diligently working to ensure passage of this legislation.

CLICK HERE to let your legislators know that you support earned sick days for New Jersey.

WFUNJ, We are One NJ staff, and Hudson County elected officials join for first Hudson County Citizenship Clinic

Today, dozens of immigrant families took one step closer to realizing the American Dream by utilizing the services offered through the We Are One New Jersey – Hudson County Center in Jersey City. While the center is opened year-round, the citizenship clinic held today is designed to assist a larger number of immigrants in an open-house setting.

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The services offered during the clinic included citizenship application and fee waiver assistance, translation, referral services, public notary, DACA application assistance, and pro bono legal advice from volunteer attorneys.

Last year, Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. (WFUNJ) pioneered the concept of hosting comprehensive grassroots citizenship clinics to empower and help immigrants on the path to the American Dream.

On behalf of the We Are One New Jersey - Hudson County Center (WAONJ), we would like to personally invite our WFUNJ allies to participate in our Hudson County Center’s first Citizenship and Deferred Action (DACA) clinic:

Working Families Untied for New Jersey, Inc. joined with its progressive partners this morning to continue the advancement of earned sick days legislation in the state Assembly. Following supportive testimony from workers, small business owners, labor unions, and community stakeholders, the Assembly Budget Committee voted mostly along party lines to release the bill (A-2354) with Republicans voting “no”, Democrats voting “yes” and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-20) abstaining.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez joined with local elected officials, community stakeholders and progressive groups this afternoon at Newark City Hall for a roundtable discussion on earned sick days. Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc., which is leading the fight for statewide earned sick days in New Jersey, was represented in the roundtable discussion by its Executive Director Edward Correa.

There are approximately 1.2 million workers in our state who are currently denied the ability to take a paid sick day from work. This situation continues to produce harsh and unfair conditions for families and communities. Therefore, we ask all coalition partners to join with us next week to demonstrate our support for a much needed earned sick leave bill (A-2354) being heard by the Assembly Budget Committee.

Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. took part in a press conference today with Senator Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), and various progressive partners to mobilize community members in support of comprehensive immigration reform.