The Working Families United for New Jersey (WFUNJ) coalition applauds President Obama’s decision to take executive action on immigration and urges the House of Representative to enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation.

New Jersey currently has about 525,000 undocumented immigrants who live, work and study in our state, contributing to our economy and to the diverse fabric of our local communities.  Undocumented immigrants in New Jersey pay more than $475 million in state and local taxes, and represent nearly 9 percent of the state’s workforce (approximately 400,000 people).

“Our coalition applauds President Obama’s leadership in taking action on immigration and providing deportation relief to at least 4 million of our neighbors who live and work in society’s shadows, and are vulnerable to wage theft and many discriminatory practices,” said Edward Correa, executive director of WFUNJ and naturalized immigrant from Colombia.“ Because the executive action is not a permanent or complete solution, we urge the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive immigration reform without delay, which the majority of Americans support.”

The President’s action could benefit as many as 204,000 New Jersey residents, when it goes into effect on Jan. 1, according to data from New Jersey Policy Perspective.

 “Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. will continue to work every day with all our coalition partners until our country adopts comprehensive immigration laws that protect our borders, assist vulnerable workers, and provide access to opportunities to millions of people who make our country home,” said WFUNJ Chairman Charles Hall.

Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization, comprised of more than 256 labor, religious, community, civil rights, student, women’s, and retiree groups, collectively committed to improving the quality of life for all New Jersey families through issue advocacy and participation in the democratic process.