10-03-2023 11:22am

New Jersey Invests $2.5M to Support Employment for Newly Arrived Migrants

State departments team up to expedite work authorization and connect migrants to job opportunities, building on federal measures.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development have announced a $2.5 million investment in federal funds aimed at streamlining the work authorization process and facilitating employment opportunities for newly arrived migrants.

In an effort to echo the Biden Administration's recent steps to expedite work permits for migrants, the State of New Jersey is deploying $2.5 million in federal funds. These funds will be used to raise awareness about the work authorization application process, provide application support, and develop two new web portals aimed at connecting migrants to job opportunities.

The initiative aims to not only help newly arrived migrants but also to strengthen the New Jersey workforce, thereby benefiting businesses and the state economy as a whole.

The New Jersey Department of Labor has launched a website that serves both migrants seeking employment and employers looking to hire. The website can be accessed in both English and Spanish and serves as a valuable resource for job seekers and businesses alike.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accelerated the work authorization application process for certain migrants. The department also extended and redesignated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela and Afghanistan, allowing migrants from these countries to have employment authorization and temporary protection from removal.

New arrivals, including individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), can immediately apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as a work permit, without a waiting period. Despite this, only a small percentage of eligible migrants have applied for employment authorization.

Funding Details

The $2.5 million in federal funds will be used by the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Office of New Americans (ONA) to develop outreach, education, and application assistance programs over the next few months. The initiative will also include support for waivers of the $410 processing fee for eligible applicants.

"New Jersey is a state that believes in providing equal opportunities for people to build a life for themselves and their families," said Governor Phil Murphy.

New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman and Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo also expressed commitment to ensuring that migrants have the support they need to successfully navigate the employment landscape.

New Jersey’s investment aims to improve the state’s labor market while providing critical support to migrants, helping them overcome challenges such as lack of information and financial barriers. As part of this multifaceted approach, the state is committed to working collaboratively with federal agencies and community organizations to ensure the success of this endeavor.