Gottheimer hosts AAPI roundtable in Bergen County to discuss affordability, public safety and immigration

PALISADES PARK BOROUGH, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable discussion with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders and community members in Palisades Park on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to address challenges facing the community, including affordability, health care, immigration, public safety and small business support.

The event, held at the Palisades Park Library, brought together local elected officials, community organizations, educators, health care advocates, small business owners and representatives from cultural and ethnic associations across North Jersey.

Gottheimer discussed his legislative priorities and heard directly from participants about issues affecting their communities.

“The AAPI community represents different ethnicities, languages, faiths, and traditions, but the same drive to strengthen our communities. That’s why I’m working so hard in Washington and across the aisle to support you. But celebrating this community isn’t enough,” said Gottheimer.

According to Gottheimer’s office, approximately 127,000 residents in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District are Asian American, representing about one in six residents.

The district includes Englewood Cliffs, where nearly half the population is Asian American, and Fort Lee, where more than 43% of residents are Asian American.

Palisades Park also has the highest percentage and density of Korean residents of any municipality in the United States, according to Gottheimer’s office.

During the discussion, Gottheimer highlighted several initiatives aimed at improving access to health care and lowering costs.

He said he secured $2 million to expand the behavioral health emergency department at New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, increasing capacity from 19 to 49 beds. The expansion includes 30 beds dedicated to mental health and substance abuse treatment and is expected to create 50 clinical jobs.

Gottheimer also discussed his support for extending and reforming enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

On affordability, Gottheimer highlighted his work as co-chair of the bipartisan State and Local Tax (SALT) Caucus and his support for legislation to fully restore the federal SALT deduction.

He also discussed his proposed Tariff Impact Act, which would require the Congressional Budget Office to assess the economic impact of new tariffs before they take effect.

Health care access for immigrants was another topic addressed during the roundtable.

Gottheimer raised concerns about new Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program restrictions affecting lawfully present immigrants under federal legislation he opposed.

According to his office, approximately 300,000 New Jersey residents could lose Medicaid coverage or be unable to obtain it, primarily because of paperwork requirements.

The congressman also discussed changes to Small Business Administration lending policies that took effect March 1, 2026.

Under the policy, businesses with any noncitizen ownership, including those with a green card holder owning as little as 1%, are no longer eligible for SBA-backed loans.

Gottheimer’s office said the agency supported approximately 8,900 loans totaling $7.2 billion to Asian-owned businesses during fiscal year 2024.

Addressing discrimination and public safety, Gottheimer highlighted the Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act, which he introduced in January 2026 with U.S. Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif.

The legislation would establish a Department of Justice task force on anti-Sikh discrimination, create a federal definition of anti-Sikh hate, develop educational programs and require annual reports to Congress.

New Jersey is home to approximately 100,000 Sikhs, according to Gottheimer’s office.

Gottheimer also discussed $42 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding announced in July, including $21 million statewide and another $21 million for Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties.

The funding supports public safety equipment and security improvements, including radios, drones, K-9 units, surveillance cameras, alarms, security personnel and reinforced doors at houses of worship.

He also highlighted his bipartisan Invest to Protect Act, which would authorize $50 million annually for five years to support police departments with fewer than 200 officers.

The funding would help departments with recruitment, training, mental health resources and body cameras.

Gottheimer encouraged houses of worship that have not applied for federal Nonprofit Security Grants to contact his office for assistance.

Immigration policy was another major focus of the discussion.

According to Gottheimer’s office, more than 1.2 million people remain in the employment-based green card backlog, with nearly 80% from India.

His office cited a projected 179-year wait for an Indian applicant in the EB-2 employment-based immigration category.

Gottheimer discussed his support for eliminating per-country caps on employment-based green cards while maintaining border security and immigration law enforcement.

He also highlighted the ICE Standards Act, legislation he introduced in January 2026 that would establish additional requirements for federal immigration enforcement officers.

The proposal includes enhanced training, body and dashboard cameras, clearly identifiable uniforms, efforts to verify citizenship before detention and restrictions on enforcement activities at schools, hospitals and houses of worship.

Gottheimer also discussed his visit to Delaney Hall and his involvement in securing the release of a 17-year-old girl named Ariadna in time for her high school graduation.

Education funding was another issue raised during the roundtable.

Gottheimer discussed the administration’s freeze of $23 million in English learner funding for New Jersey and the cancellation of nearly $1 billion in school mental health grants.

He also reiterated his support for doubling the federal Pell Grant to help make higher education more affordable.

Gottheimer pointed to approximately $5 billion in funding provided to Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions through the American Rescue Plan in 2021, legislation he helped negotiate and pass.

He also highlighted a resolution he introduced recognizing Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week.

Gottheimer serves on the congressional Korea, India, Taiwan, Asia Pacific American and Pacific Islands caucuses and is co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus.