Guttenberg Mayor Urges Rep. Menendez to Back Path to Legal Status for Visa Overstayers

Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt is calling on Rep. Rob Menendez to introduce or support federal legislation creating a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants who originally entered the United States legally but overstayed their visas.

In an August 26, 2026, letter to the congressman, Zitt proposed an “expedited, earned pathway” for people who entered the country lawfully, have no criminal record, and have lived in their communities for years.

“Many of these individuals have lived in our communities for years,” Zitt wrote. “They work, pay taxes, raise families, operate businesses, and contribute to the economic and social strength of our country. Despite entering the United States through a lawful process, they now face prolonged uncertainty with limited practical options for correcting their immigration status.”

Zitt outlined a process in which eligible individuals would come forward, undergo criminal and national-security background checks, demonstrate continuous residence and good moral character, meet their tax obligations, pay a penalty, and pursue permanent residency. He said anyone convicted of a serious offense or deemed a public-safety risk should be ineligible.

Zitt, who described Guttenberg as one of the most diverse communities in New Jersey, asked Menendez to take “a leadership role” on the legislation.

Menendez represents New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Guttenberg and much of Hudson County. In a statement, the congressman voiced support for a pathway to permanent status.

“A pathway to permanent status is vital to fixing our fundamentally broken immigration system and giving families the stability and dignity they deserve,” Menendez said. “As Vice Chair of Policy for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am fighting for and have signed onto every important piece of legislation to establish a pathway to citizenship.”

“We will continue to be on the frontlines of this fight whether it’s on our streets, at Delaney Hall, or in Congress, working closely with local leaders like Mayor Zitt to keep our communities safe and protect everyone we have the privilege to serve,” he said.