>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

AND PS E.G., COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

THIS IS NJ WITH BREANNA FOR NOSY.

>>> JOE BIDEN APPROVED THE $10 MILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BILL TODAY.

THERE'S ALSO MONEY TO BUILD MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, TO EXPAND HIGH-SPEED INTERNET AND THE LIST GOES ON.

PRESIDENT BIDEN NAMING FORMER NEW ORLEANS MAYOR -- TO OVERSEE THE NATIONWIDE CHANGES AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE FUNDS.

>> DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS CAN COME TOGETHER AND DELIVER RESULTS.

WE CAN DO THIS!

WE CAN DELIVER REAL RESULTS FOR REAL PEOPLE.

WE SEE IN WAYS THAT REALLY MATTER.

EACH AND EVERY DAY, TEACH PERSON OUT THERE.

AND WE ARE TAKING A MONUMENTAL STEP FORWARD TO BUILD BACK BETTER AS A NATION.

>> NEW JERSEY, THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

THIS IS A BIG FREAKING DEAL!

THERE HAS BEEN NO INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IN OUR LIFETIME AS BIG AND AS IMPACTFUL TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AS WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT HERE.

WE ARE BRINGING BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO OUR STATE TO AFFECT EVERYTHING THE EYE CAN SEE.

>> SENATORS CORY BOOKER AND BOB MENENDEZ LAID OUT HOW THE GARDEN STATE WILL BENEFIT FROM THE NEW BILL.

THE LAUNDRY LIST OF SPENDING INCLUDES $12 BILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC TRANSIT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE.

PLUS BILLIONS MORE TO CLEAN UP TOXIC SUPERFUND SITES.

THAT WILL REPLACE THOUSANDS OF LEAD PIPES AND MAKE NEW JERSEY MORE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

NOW, WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL SIGNED, THE FOCUS IN WASHINGTON IS ON THE PRESIDENTS BUILD BACK BETTER PACKAGE, WHICH CALLS FOR NEARLY TRUE -- $2 TRILLION ON SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND EFFORTS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

TURNING NOW TO TRENTON, COME JANUARY, THERE WILL BE A NEW SENATE PRESIDENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER A STUNNING DEFEAT, SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY IS OUT.

AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HAVE CHOSEN UNION COUNTY LAWMAKER -- AS HIS SUCCESSOR WHEN THE NEW LEGISLATURE IS SWORN IN.

HE WILL BE JOINED BY -- WHO WILL BE THE FIRST FEMALE LaTINA SENATE MAJORITY LEADER IN STATE HISTORY.

AND SENATOR SANDRA CUNNINGHAM.

THEIR SELECTIONS ARE MOVED TOWARD A MORE DIVERSE LEADERSHIP.

AS THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS A WHOLE.

YOU HEAR IT A LOT.

YOU ARE THE MOST DIVERSE STATE IN AMERICA.

EVEN AS TODAY'S INFRASTRUCTURE IN >> THIS BECOMES THE RESPONSIBILITY NOT OF WOMEN, BUT IT BECOMES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYBODY WHO HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS TO BE SURE THAT EVERY DISTRICT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DISTRICT THAT THEY COVER.

RIGHT?

THEIR CONSTITUENCIES ARE REFLECTED IN THE WOMEN ARE PART OF THAT PROCESS.

>> Reporter: DESPITE BEING 51% OF THE POPULATION, WOMEN MAKE UP 31% OF THE LEGISLATURE OVERALL.

FOR BEING SEEN AS TOO MODERATE FOR CURRENT REPUBLICAN TASTES SAYS THE TIMES, THEY ARE STILL CHANGING.

>> NOW, IT'S 31% OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

WE REALLY HAD A GREAT THAT IS SIGNIFICANT STRIDE.

REPUBLICANS ARE WAY BEHIND DEMOCRATS ON THE DIVERSITY SKILLS.

TRAILING BEHIND THEM ON THE MOST ETHNIC AND GENDER FRIENDS.

JUST ONE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER IS BLACK.

BUT AS THE PARTY IN CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE, DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY FEELING THE HEAT.

THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND THE NEWLY APPOINTED SENATE PRESIDENT HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON.

BLACK LEADERS STABLE LEADERSHIP MISSED THE BOAT.

>> WE ALL DESERVE A FAIR SHOT AT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WITHIN OUR RESPECTIVE HOUSES.

SO I'M WATCHING THE SENATE CLOSELY, BECAUSE WE DO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TO AVAIL IT.

IT HAS TO MOVE THROUGH OLD HOUSES.

>> THERE'S A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO GETTING MORE BLACK, BROWN AND FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATURE SAYS LAYS BARE AND CIVIC LEADER -- AND THE OPPORTUNITY IS PRESENTING ITSELF RIGHT NOW.

AS THE COMMITTEE BEGINS TO REDRAW THE STATES POLITICAL DISTRICT LINES.

>> OUR PROCESS IS TO PROTECT COMMENTS.

IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CHALLENGE THAT PROCESS, WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE WHO GETS ELECTED.

>> Reporter: COMPOST NOTES THAT THE PARTY LINE SYSTEM, WHICH IS NOW BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT IS ALSO AN OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS.

BUT THAT HAS BEEN TRUE FOR GENERATIONS AND MAY BE TRUE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

WHICH LEADS INTO VOTERS NOW, JUST TO HAVE PART OF THEIR OWN COMFORT ZONES TO SEE THAT CHALLENGING THEIR PARTIES STATUS QUO IS THE IMMEDIATE WAY TO MAKE CHANGE.

I DAVID CRUZ.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> STATE LEADERS ARE URGING MORE PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND GET A COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER.

SO FAR, MORE THAN 6.1 MILLION PEOPLE ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT THERE ARE NEARLY 4 MILLION NEW JERSEY ADULT ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER.

AND ONLY ONE IN FOUR HAS GOT THE ADDITIONAL SHOT.

AS REGULAR COVID BRIEFING TODAY TOLD RESIDENTS WHO MAY BE CONFUSED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO JUST GO AHEAD AND GET A BOOSTER.

HE SAID HE HOPES TO TAKE THE PROCESS MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD SOON, HINTING THAT HE MAY EXPAND ELIGIBILITY AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

TODAY, NEW YORK CITY ANNOUNCED A LITTLE CAN GET A BOOSTER IF THEY WANT ONE.

THAT FOLLOWS SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS IN CALIFORNIA, COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO.

AS THE STATE RAMPS UP ITS BOOSTER PROGRAM, PARENTS ARE STILL DEBATING WHETHER OR NOT TO GET THEIR KIDS VACCINATED.

CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS WENT TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE TO HEAR THE CONCERNS AND LEARN WHY DOCTORS ARE ENCOURAGING KIDS TO GET THE SHOT.

>> I WANT TO GET VACCINATED BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE MY COUSINS, MY AUNTS AND UNCLES AGAIN FOR THANKSGIVING.

I WAS PRETTY EXCITED.

>> WHY?

>> BECAUSE I'M SAFE FROM COVID.

>> Reporter: IN BETWEEN SOME SORE ARMS, THERE WERE LOTS OF SMILES FROM THESE KIDS WHO RAISED THEIR SLEEVES TO GET THERE COVID VACCINE NOW THAT THE PFIZER SHOT IS AVAILABLE TO KIDS 5-11.

EACH OF THEM HAD THEIR REASONS.

>> SO I DON'T HAVE TO GET HURT BY COVID-19.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO GET VACCINATED?

>> SO THAT I DON'T BRING IT HOME TO MY FAMILY AND SO THAT THEY DON'T GET SICK.

>> I WAS EXCITED TO GET IT BECAUSE IT WOULD OPEN UP LIKE POSSIBILITIES.

YOU CAN DO NORMAL STUFF.

>> LIKE WHAT?

>> MY GO TO THE MOVIE THEATERS.

>> THIS YEAR, I HAVE BATTLED WITH CANCER AND IS BEEN SO GRATEFUL THE PEOPLE IS BEEN SO CAREFUL AND I HAVE BEEN SO GRATEFUL FOR THE VACCINE.

SO THE FACT THAT I'M DOING GREAT NOW.

BUT THE FACT THAT MY BOYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO DO THAT.

I WAS REALLY PROUD OF THEM THAT THEY BOTH WERE SO EXCITED AND WILLING TO DO IT.

>> BEHIND SOME REALLY NOBLE REASONS ARE ALSO SOME PRACTICAL ONES.

>> SO I DON'T HAVE TO PUT MY MASK ON ANYMORE.

>> IT'S BEEN HORRIBLE WITH THE MASK.

SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY CAN'T BREATHE.

>> BUT NOT EVERYONE IS BUYING THEM.

>> I DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

>> WHILE YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL.

A FACT THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY IS REPORTING.

ONLY HALF OF 12-17-YEAR-OLD HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SHOTS.

MANY PARENTS STILL REMAIN HESITANT DUE TO SIDE EFFECTS DUE TO THE MYOCARDITIS THAT WAS MORE PREVALENT IN OLDER BOYS WHO RECEIVED THE MATERNAL SHOT IN CLINICAL TRIALS.

>> GETTING THE ACTUAL DISEASE.

THIS IS A MUCH SMALLER RISK FACTOR THAN IF YOU WERE TO CATCH COVID-19 ITSELF.

AND ALSO, THIS IS A TEMPORARY, TREATABLE CONDITION.

SO I JUST WANT THE PARENTS TO KNOW THAT IT IS NOT A PERMANENT CHANGE TO THEIR HEART.

IS AN INFLAMMATION AND IT IS TEMPORARY.

VERY SMALL, SMALL RISK.

>> I WAS JUST AS HESITANT.

BUT SEEING WHAT COVID-19 IS DOING TO PEOPLE, I BELIEVE THAT THE RISKS OUTWEIGH THE ILLNESS AND I WANT TO JOIN THE FIGHT TO STOP THE SPREAD INTO MAKE MY FAMILY HEALTHY BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY ON THE WORLD.

STUDENTS IN PLAINFIELD NEVER EVEN HAD TO LEAVE SCHOOL AFTER AN EARLY DISMISSAL.

THE DISTRICT IS RUNNING A POP UP VACCINATION SITE.

>> THEY WENT A LITTLE WHILE AT 1:00 AND HERE YOU ARE, YOUR VACCINATED.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE.

GO RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND GO HOME.

>> RICHARD HAMILTON SAYS WITHOUT THIS OPTION, HIS KIDS WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE SHOT TODAY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE.

AND MY WIFE GOT A ROBO CALL.

INSIDE THAT SCHOOL WOULD BE CANCELED TOMORROW.

SO FAR, AROUND 52,000 KIDS IN THE 5-11 GROUP HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SHOP.

>> TO GET US VACCINATED, STARTING AT -- I HOPE TO GET TO ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS WITHIN THE NEXT 2-3 MONTHS.

>> THE DISTRICT INTENDS TO KEEP THIS GOING INTO EXPANDED BEYOND THE OFFERS TODAY.

SO THE NEXT SITES WILL LIKELY BE OPEN IN THE EVENING TO GIVE PARENTS WHO WORK A CHANCE TO GIVE THEIR KIDS A SHOT.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> ACROSS THE STATE, MANY NEW PARENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO BUY OR EVEN FIND DIAPERS ON THE SHELVES.

THE PRICES HAVE GONE UP BY NEARLY 12%.

AND WITH INFLATION ON THE RISE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN STILL FACING SERIOUS BACKLOGS, THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY RELIEF ANYTIME SOON.

ONE NEW JERSEY MOM IS STEPPING INTO HOPE IS MUCH AS SHE CAN.

BUT AS BRENDAN FLANAGAN REPORTS COMMITS BEEN A STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMANDS.

>> YOU JUST KEEP SEEING DECREES AND DECLINES.

EVERY WEEK IS MORE AND MORE.

WE HAVE LESS AND LESS DIAPERS AS WE GET MORE CLIENTS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS FAMILIES THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY 70-$80 COME HERE FOR HELP.

SO THEY ARE RATIONING DIAPERS.

>> WE CANNOT EVEN GIVE THEM A BOX PER CLIENT.

SO THAT'S NOT EVEN ENOUGH.

IT'S REALLY SAD.

WE ALWAYS TRIED TO GO THE EXTRA MILE.

BUT IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE WE JUST RAN OUT OF DIAPERS FOR THE MONTH.

>> WE USED TO DO LIKE 100 FAMILIES A MONTH.

SO NOW WE ARE UP TO LIKE 250.

THIS IS JUST FAMILIES.

PART OF A NATIONAL NETWORK THE ALSO SUPPLIES ORGANIZATIONS LIKE -- THE COST OF DIAPERS SPIKED 12%.

I HAVE SEEN THE PRICES GO UP SUBSTANTIALLY.

SINCE COVID.

EVEN SINCE LAST YEAR.

WHY THE PRICE HIKES?

CONSIDER WHAT GOES INTO A DIAPER.

WE NEED TO MANUFACTURE ONE.

YOU SEE ALL OF THIS PUFFY ABSORBENT MATERIAL.

WHICH IS ALSO REQUIRED TO BUILD HOUSES IN A REAL ESTATE MARKET.

PETROLEUM ALSO COMPRISES ABSORBENT COMPONENTS AND INFLATIONS DRIVEN GAS AND OIL PRICES SO HIGH.

ASKING TO USE U.S. PETROLEUM RESERVES TO EASE PAIN AT THE PUMP.

OVERALL, CONSUMER PRICES SOARED 6.2% IN OCTOBER.

THE LARGEST SPIKE IN 30 YEARS.

SUPPLY CHAIN BOTTLENECKS ONLY COMPOUND THE PROBLEM.

85% OF THAT MARKET IS CONTROLLED BY JUST THREE COMPANIES.

>> WHEN YOU DONATE, THE FOOD PANTRY.

THEY ARE GOING TO SEE BEFORE, WE WERE ALWAYS STOCKED.

THIS YEAR, WE ONLY HAVE 100.

THAT IS BECAUSE HOW HARD IT IS TO GET RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN.

WHAT IS A WORKING PARENT TO DO?

ONE MOM RISKS RUNNING OUT OF HOME.

>> THE DOCK IS THAT A -- THE DIAPERS THAT I GIVE HER, SHE TAKES HALF OF THEM TO THE DAYCARE.

SO THAT ACTUALLY TAKES AWAY FROM WHAT SHE HAS AT HOME.

>> REEVES SAYS SHE SUSPECTS SOME PEOPLE ACCORDING DIAPERS AND WIPES DURING THE PANDEMIC'S HEIGHT, EMPTY SHELVES DROVE ONE DESPERATE MOM TO TEARS.

IN HOW MY SUPPOSED TO DIAPER MY CHILD?

I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY 20 AT A TIME LIKE YOU CAN.

BRINGS US TO SARAH FRANK WHOSE LIVINGSTON CONDO IS PILED HIGH WITH BOXES AND BAGS OF DIAPERS COLLECTED THIS MONTH, ALL DONATED VIA AMAZON WISH LIST.

13-15,000 DIAPERS THEM ALL SIZES, ALL HEADED TO APOSTLES HOUSE.

>> WE HAD OUR SON ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO.

AND I REALIZED FIRSTHAND, ALL THE EXPENSES THAT GO INTO CARING FOR A NEW BABY.

IT WAS OVERWHELMING.

'S I MADE A COMMITMENT, I WAS GOING TO GET BACK TO NEW MOMS AND DADS AND I THOUGHT A DIAPER DRIVE WOULD BE A GREAT WAY OF DOING THAT.

>> WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AND SO HAPPY.

>> SHE IS OVERWHELMED.

MEANWHILE, I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS.

PLUS ALL THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES OF THE DAY.

RHONDA.

>> Reporter: WITH THE MAMMOTH INFRASTRUCTURE BILL DONE AND DUSTED, WASHINGTON SHIFTING ITS FOCUS BACK TO THE NEARLY $2 TRILLION SOCIAL SPENDING BILL KNOWN AS BUILD BACK BETTER.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE BILL BY MIDWEEK.

AN ECONOMIC OFFICIALS THAT OVER THE WEEKEND THAT WITH INFLATION RISING, APPROVAL COULD NOT COME AT A BETTER TIME.

AS THINGS STAND NOW, MANY HOMEOWNERS GET A TAX BREAK IF THE PROPONENT TO RAISE THE CAP OF STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS STANDS, BUT LOTS ON THAT BILL COULD CHANGE ONCE IT GETS TO THE SENATE.

ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS WERE GETTING FINANCIAL BREAK.

THAT BILL, SPONSORED BY OUTGOING SENATE -- WOULD EXEMPT REVENUE FROM THE SPORTS BETTING AND INTERNET GAMBLING FROM CALCULATIONS ON HOW MUCH THE CASINOS SHOULD PAY THE CITY.

SOME CASINOS WOULD PAY LESS.

OTHERS WOULD PAY MORE.

THIS BILL IS A RENEWAL OF A MEASURE REQUIRING CASINOS TO MAKE PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES TO ATLANTIC CITY.

WHICH WAS FIRST ENACTED BY FIVE YEARS AGO.

NEWARK BASED AUDIBLE IS LAUNCHING A PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP BOTH LOCAL RESIDENTS IN NEED AND BUSINESSES IN THE CITY.

THE PROGRAM IS CALLED AUDIBLE BOX.

IT'S A $75 WEEKLY STIPEND LOADED ON A DEBIT CARD AND PROVIDED TO 400 RESIDENTS.

THE STIPEND CAN BE USED IN RESTAURANTS AND MORE.

>> PARTICIPANTS IN THE AUDIBLE BUCKS PROGRAM CAN GET ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE.

WE HAVE PHARMACIES.

WE HAVE A LOCAL BLACK-OWNED BOOKSTORE.

AND SO, IT'S REALLY ABOUT HOW DO WE USE THIS STIPEND AS A PLACE-BASED STRATEGY TO NOT JUST ASSIST OUR FELLOW NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: ELSEWHERE, NEW JERSEY WILL BE HOME TO THE LARGEST ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING HUB IN THE COUNTRY.

POWER EDISON WILL TEAM UP WITH THE DEVELOP AREA.

THE LOCATION WILL INCLUDE 200 HIGH-POWER CHARGERS FOR BOTH PRIVATE VEHICLES AND COMMERCIAL FLEETS.

NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

JOIN BRENDA AS SHE LOOKS AT OUR FINANCIAL ROUNDTABLES.

LOOKING FOR NEW JERSEYANS RETIRING IN THE STATE.

INCLUDING RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS, TAXES AND PENSION FUNDING.

THAT'S ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17th AT 7:00 P.M. JUST HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT, DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

AND BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

A VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 9th.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT JANJ.ORG.

>>> WE TURN NOW TO ATLANTIC CITY WHERE THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE IS ALLOWED TO STAY OPEN FOR NOW.

ADVOCATE SAY ACCESS TO CLEAN SYRINGES REDUCES THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS.

IN JULY THOUGH, THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED IN FAVOR OF SHUTTING DOWN THE EXCHANGE, ARGUING THAT THE CITY SHOULD HAVE TO SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF HAVING THE REGIONS ONLY NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

BUT A JUDGE EXTENDED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER FRIDAY, ALLOWING THE SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM AT A RACIST TO KEEP GOING UNTIL DECEMBER.

THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE TOLD US THEY ARE RELIEVED BY THE JUDGE'S DECISION AND HOPE THEY CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE CASE.

WHILE THERE ARE NO MORE IMMIGRATION DETAINEES BEING HELD AT THE BERGEN COUNTY JAIL IN HACKENSACK, U.S. CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT TRANSFER THE LAST 15 DETAINEES OUT OF THE FACILITY LAST WEEK.

A WIN FOR ACTIVISTS WHO HAVE SPENT YEARS PUSHING TO GET THE FEDERAL AGENCY FROM USING FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

FOR THE DETAINEES THEMSELVES, THIS TRANSFER IS THE LATEST STEP IN A LONG JOURNEY WITH NO CLEAR END.

>> IT JUST FELT LIKE I HAD LIKE NO HOPE OF HIM ACTUALLY COMING HOME TO HELP ME.

>> SHE FOUND OUT THAT HER HUSBAND WAS SUDDENLY REMOVED FROM BERGEN COUNTY JAIL ON NOVEMBER 2nd.

JONI SAYS THAT HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO A FACILITY IN LOUISIANA AFTER BEING ASKED TO DO A COVID SQUAD BUT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AHEAD OF TIME.

ONLY ADDING TO HER GROWING PROBLEMS.

>> IT'S SCARY, VERY DIFFICULT.

TRYING TO RAISE MY CHILDREN ALONE AND FINANCIALLY, I HAVE TO WORK LONG HOURS.

AND PICK UP AS MUCH OVERTIME AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

AND I ALSO HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR HIM, BECAUSE OF HIM BEING IN JAIL, MAKING SURE HE HAS MONEY FOR COMMISSARY, CLOTHING ITEMS.

BESIDES THE ITEMS THAT THEY GIVE HIM.

SO IT'S BEEN REALLY REALLY ROUGH.

>> Reporter: A TOUGH TIME FOR HER HUSBAND TOO WHO CAME TO THE US AS A CHILD FROM HAITI AND SHARED HIS CONCERNS OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF HE WAS DEPORTED IN THIS AUDIO RECORDING.

>> I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE MY FAMILY.

LIABLE TO BE DEPORTED.

AND BE KILLED AS SOON AS I GET THERE.

LIABLE TO BE DEPORTED WITHOUT ANYBODY KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON.

OUT OF TOUCH COME OUT OF REACH.

>> Reporter: GRANTED A TEMPORARY SEAL OF DEPORTATION.

THAT EXPIRED TODAY.

HE'S NOT THE ONLY I.C.E.

INMATE MOVED FROM BERGEN COUNTY WITHOUT WARNING.

15 OTHER MEN WERE RELEASED INTO I.C.E.

'S CUSTODY, A WEEK AHEAD OF DEADLINE.

THEY WERE HOLDING THE DETAINEES AS PART OF A CONTRACT WITH THE U.S.

MARSHALS SERVICE, BUT THE CONTRACT ENDED IN SEPTEMBER.

BERGEN IS ONE OF SEVEN COUNTIES ENDING CONTRACTS WITH I.C.E., LEADING TO DETAINEES BEING SENT AWAY FROM THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEM.

>> THERE WERE 15 REMAINING IMMIGRATION DETAINEES WHO WERE TRANSFERRED OVERNIGHT TO -- WHICH IS FIVE HOURS AWAY IN BUFFALO.

SO THE PROCESS WAS EXTREMELY DISTURBING, BECAUSE NO ONE KNEW UNTIL EVERYBODY WAS TRANSFERRED.

SOME ATTORNEYS WERE NOTIFIED.

DURING THE TRANSFER.

AND DETAINEES THEMSELVES WERE TOLD THE NIGHT BEFORE.

EVERYBODY COULD HAVE KNOWN TWO DAYS BEFORE, INSTEAD OF WHEN THE PROCESS WAS OVER.

AND EVERYBODY, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS, FAMILY MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO TRY TO LOCATE THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES JOIN FAMILY MEMBERS OUTSIDE OF BERGEN COUNTY JAIL FOR DETAINEE TRANSFER AND DEPORTATION PROTEST.

>> MY CONCERNS ABOUT THEM BEING TRANSFERRED, THE MAIN THING IS REALLY THAT THEY ARE AWAY FROM WHAT THEY KNOW AS HOME.

UNFORTUNATELY, HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THEY ARE STILL BEHIND BARS, BUT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ELSEWHERE.

SO THEIR FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO VISIT THEM.

SO ARE THEIR LAWYERS, THEIR RESOURCES ARE HERE.

>> EVERYBODY'S CASE SHOULD BE REVIEWED CAREFULLY.

BUT THE PERSON COULD BE RELEASED AND TO BE WORKING AND SUPPORTING THE FAMILIES.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IS THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE CONSIDERED AND TO BE RELEASED.

>> Reporter: IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES ARE URGING LAWMAKERS TO STEP IN TO ENSURE DETAINEE CASES ARE REVIEWED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT GIVE UP FIGHTING UNTIL THE DETAINEES ARE RELEASED.

I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR THE VERY LATEST STORIES IMPACTING THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OF NEW JERSEY.

FROM OUR ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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