First Friends of NJ & NY

06/05/2026

This week, June 1–5, we were able to help bring 7 people home from immigration detention. Together, with the support of our community and donors, we spent $133,000 on bonds and helped 3 people get transportation home after being detained far from their communities.

A huge part of why we do this work is simple: everyone deserves freedom. Everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to be with their loved ones.

As people in detention continue hunger strikes across the country to call attention to horrific conditions, and as we continue receiving reports of people from New York and New Jersey being transferred far from home with little or no notice, we are especially grateful that we can help bring people back to their communities.

This work is only possible because of you. Thank you for helping us show up, post bond, book travel, and bring people home. 💙

06/02/2026

Lunes, 15 de junio a la 1:00 p. m. – Capacitación de la línea directa de First Friends (Zoom)

La línea directa de First Friends funciona de lunes a viernes de 10:00 a.m. a 4:00 p.m., y es una de las primeras formas en que las personas en detención y sus seres queridos se comunican con nosotros en busca de apoyo.
Este trabajo es especialmente urgente en este momento. Las personas en detención a menudo tienen que gastar el poco dinero que tienen solo para hacer una llamada telefónica. A veces, las personas juntan recursos para que una persona pueda llamar o escribir para solicitar apoyo para toda su unidad. Cuando alguien usa ese tiempo y ese dinero para llamar a una organización comunitaria, necesitamos estar listos para responder con cuidado, consistencia y apoyo real.

Necesitamos especialmente personas que hablen español para ayudar con este importante trabajo. Habrá interpretación al español disponible durante la capacitación.

Por favor, tenga en cuenta: el registro y la asistencia a esta capacitación son obligatorios para cualquier persona que desee participar en el programa de la línea directa.

👉 Registro / Enlace de Zoom: bit.ly/FFNJNYHotline

06/02/2026

Monday, June 15th at 1:00 PM – First Friends Hotline Training (Zoom)

The First Friends hotline runs Monday–Friday from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, and it is one of the first ways people in detention and their loved ones reach out to us for support.

This work is especially urgent right now. People in detention often have to spend the little money they have just to make a phone call. Sometimes people pool resources so that one person can call or write to request support for their whole unit. When someone uses that time and money to call a community organization, we need to be ready to answer with care, consistency, and real support
We are especially in need of Spanish speakers to help with this important work. Spanish interpretation will be available during the training.

Please note: registration and attendance at this training are required for anyone who would like to participate in the hotline program.

👉 Register / Zoom Link: bit.ly/FFNJNYHotline
The link is also in our bio!
OR Scan the QR code!

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Las personas dentro de Delaney Hall están arriesgando su salud y seguridad para exigir su libertad.

Para quienes estamos fuera, el apoyo debe ser concreto: pagar fianzas, responder llamadas, enviar provisiones, coordinar traslados, apoyar a las familias y lograr que las personas regresen a casa.

Desde enero, esta comunidad ha ayudado a First Friends a canalizar más de $300,000 en apoyo directo, incluyendo más de $248,000 en fianzas que permitieron que 30 personas regresaran a sus hogares.

Esto es lo que podemos lograr juntos: responder con rapidez, mantenernos conectados y asegurar que las personas sepan que no han sido olvidadas.

Hemos logrado satisfacer necesidades reales porque la gente sigue presente y brindando su apoyo.

Y debemos seguir adelante.

Dona. Hazte voluntario. Comparte. Permanece a nuestro lado.

05/29/2026

People inside Delaney Hall are risking their health and safety to demand freedom.

For those of us outside, support has to be concrete: bonds posted, calls answered, commissary sent, rides coordinated, families supported, and people brought home.

Since January, this community has helped First Friends move more than $300,000 in direct support — including more than $248,000 in bonds that helped bring 30 people home.

This is what we can do together: respond quickly, stay connected, and make sure people know they have not been forgotten.

We have been able to meet real needs because people keep showing up.

And we need to keep going.

Donate. Volunteer. Share. Stay with us.