A Critical Call to Action: Protecting New Jersey’s Future from ICE Ties

In a bold move to safeguard both the economic prosperity and the vibrant communities of New Jersey, Jersey Hired has issued an urgent and unequivocal call to the staffing industry. Specifically, the organization is demanding that major recruitment platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, along with all staffing firms, immediately terminate their relationships with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

This isn’t merely a political statement; it’s a strategic move born from a deep concern for the state’s welfare. Jersey Hired believes that continued collaboration between these essential employment services and ICE directly undermines the trust, stability, and growth of New Jersey’s diverse workforce and local economies.

Why Sever Ties? The Impact on New Jersey

The reasoning behind Jersey Hired’s demand is multifaceted:

• Protecting Our Economy: New Jersey’s economy thrives on a diverse workforce. When staffing firms and job boards aid an agency perceived as hostile to immigrant communities, it creates an environment of fear. This fear can deter talented individuals from seeking employment, reduce participation in the formal economy, and ultimately lead to labor shortages in critical sectors.
• Safeguarding Communities: The presence of ICE in hiring processes or through data sharing erodes trust between essential service providers and the communities they serve. For many New Jersey residents, particularly those in immigrant families, the specter of ICE involvement can lead to significant stress, reluctance to engage with public services, and a sense of insecurity within their own neighborhoods.
• Upholding Ethical Standards: Staffing agencies and job platforms play a crucial role in connecting people with opportunities. Jersey Hired argues that this role comes with an ethical responsibility to ensure that their services are not used to facilitate actions that could harm the very individuals they are meant to empower. Partnering with ICE, in this context, is seen as a betrayal of that trust.
• Preventing Unintended Consequences: Data shared, or services rendered to ICE, even indirectly, can have far-reaching and often unforeseen negative impacts on individuals and their families, extending beyond the workplace and into homes and schools.

Jersey Hired emphasizes that for New Jersey to continue flourishing, its residents must feel secure and valued, regardless of their background or immigration status. By severing ties with ICE, LinkedIn, Indeed, and staffing firms can send a clear message: that they stand with New Jersey’s workers and communities, prioritizing economic stability and human dignity over complicity in enforcement actions that often sow division and fear.

The message is clear: It’s time for the staffing industry to choose the side of New Jersey’s economy, its communities, and its people.

Source: Original Article