Community leaders say Munoz is needed at her job now more than ever
According to a Pew Research Center report released Aug. 21, New Jersey had the fifth-highest number of undocumented people living in its borders in 2023 with 600,000, only topped by California (2.3 million), Texas (2.1 million), Florida (1.6 million) and New York (825,000).
According to ICE, as of Aug. 29, authorities have arrested 527,459 undocumented people from across the country. While state-specific arrest statistics could not be found, ICE stats state that 4,003 people who were arrested and held at one time in Newark had criminal convictions, and another 3,825 have pending charges. Another 24,425 arrests involve “other immigration violators.”
Dr. George Scott, a physician connected to Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine and the chair of the Spanish Community Center’s board of directors, said the current climate facing undocumented people and the Hispanic community in general highlights the importance of having Munoz and her institutional experience on board.
“I believe she is dynamic, engaging, thoughtful, insightful and just a ball of energy,” Scott said of Munoz. “I would like to have her energy when I reach 80. We hope to do this [name a new executive director] over the next three months, but right now we need stability and someone who is deeply enmeshed in the community who is respected and understands the complexities of running a nonprofit.”
Dr. George Scott is chair of the Spanish Community Center’s board of directors. (Courtesy of Rowan University)
Munoz, who has one of the two buildings run by the Spanish Community Center named after her, said she remains enthusiastic about her work, despite it becoming more difficult over the past eight months.
“I advocate for folks, and I will continue to do that until my last breath,” Munoz said. “It’s really sad what’s happening to families. Some don’t have all of their documents in order and they come here trying to provide a better life for their children. I continue to educate them and let them know what their rights are. If they need me, I’m right here for them.”
Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo knows firsthand about Munoz’s determination and spirit. They forged a friendship in 1982 when Munoz was a member of the Atlantic Cape Community College board and Giralo was its student representative. Giralo said Munuz is needed at the job now more than ever.
“Her knowledge of helping farm workers and their families; there’s no one else who knows the ins and outs of assisting them in this political environment like Lydia,” Giralo said. “The laborers who supply the food for us to put on our tables need more help than ever. I’ve seen the good things she’s done, how she took cases on. She simply refuses to let some people fail.”
Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo. (Courtesy of Atlantic County Clerk’s Office)
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