We write today on behalf of our constituents from the Indonesian Christian community here in New Jersey. We urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take immediate action to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from detaining and deporting this group of New Jersey residents who arrived here decades ago as refugees fleeing religious persecution in their home country.
After the downfall of the Suharto regime in Indonesia in the late 1990s, many Indonesian Christians settled in Central New Jersey, and have become integral members of our communities. For nearly 30 years, these Christian refugees have raised families, bought homes, attended church services, and volunteered countless hours to aid neighbors. These New Jerseyans exemplify the best qualities of our state. Their ability to continue living and working safely in New Jersey is critical to the well-being of their U.S. citizen children and to the benefit of their church communities and neighbors they serve. Detaining or deporting these individuals would be contrary to the priorities set forth in Acting Secretary Tae Johnson’s Memo (Johnson Memo) of February 18, 2021.