>> major funding for "NJ Spotlight News," is provided in part by NJM insurance group>> To codefendants.

The former senior senator faces up to 15 years in prison.

Plus, a new report paints a bleak picture of where students in the state are still struggling post-pandemic.

Also, know your rights.

Immigration advocacy groups hit the streets in New Jersey to educate those in fear of ice rates or deportation.

>> People are scared.

People are scared to go out, go shopping, go eating, go to the parks, you know, go take walks.

People are really pretty afraid.

>> And counting the homeless.

The annual state event but number on those seeking shelter.

>> we have and through the use of this comfort center will continue to make sure that we meet the needs of our clients, that we feed them -- that is important to us, that we have them an opportunity to eat three times a day.

>> "NJ Spotlight News" begins now.

>> from NJPBS Studios, this is "NJ Spotlight News."

Raonic: -- Breanna -- Brianna: we begin with breaking news, the sentencing of former Senator Bob Menendez.

A judge handed down an 11-year prison sentence to the once powerful ranking Democrat, bringing to an end months of trial on 16 counts of bribery, extortion, and conspiracy for operating what prosecutors called one of the most brazen corruption schemes in the nation's history.

Accepting bribes with hundreds of thousands of dollars in gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for his political clout and acting as a foreign agent to Egypt.

An emotional Menendez pleaded before Judge Sidney Stein for leniency, recounting his decades of public service as a reason for a lesser sentence.

Earlier in the day, Judge Stein sentenced Menendez's codefendants, ordering seven years in prison for New Jersey developer Fred Daibes and eight years one month for Wael Hana.

Senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan was there when the judge handed the sentence down and joins us from outside the courthouse.

We just heard from the senator.

What did he say?

Brenda: Senator Menendez came downstairs, and he was an angry man.

What he called the Southern District of New York was a wild West court, and he said President Trump was right, that this is a witch hunt and that he hopes that the president restores some integrity to the system.

Inside the courthouse today, it was also very emotional.

An 11-year sentence, three years of supervised release after that, and the Former Senator is going to have to forfeit all of the gold and cash that was seized from his house by the FBI raid.

When he was talking to the judge , essentially pleading for a lesser sentence, his voice was rough with tears.

He was crying out a couple of moments, and he said that he is "a chastened man," that the trial ripped apart his life, that it horrified his family, and his son, Congressman Rob Menendez, and daughter Alicia Menendez, where there in the audience listening to him.

He listed his many accomplishments as a senator, and he said that the defense has asked for an eight-year sentence, because he is 71 years old, and the defense attorneys say that Bob Menendez does not deserve to die in jail.

They said that he has been ridiculed nationally.

He is known as gold bar Bob, and that that kind of punishment with -- I think they ask for something along the lines of eight years -- was enough.

The judge said he had gotten 130 letters in support of Menendez, and he indicated, it is a tragedy that he started his career as a corruption fighter in Union City only to see this downfall marked by corruption.

The prosecution had asked for 15 years.

They said this was a crime of historic proportions and that it overshadowed all of the good that Menendez did during his career.

Brianna: Why is that significant, the 11 years?

Persecutors you say asked for 15, a last-minute attempt by defense attorneys asking for eight.

The judge seemed to meet in the middle.

Brenda: 10 years is a bright line.

If you are convicted and sentenced to 10 years, you can serve less than 10 years in a minimum security federal prison camp.

At 11 years, Menendez will be serving this sentence in a medium security facility.

The defense has said they are afraid he is now considered notorious.

He has been all over television, the guy with the gold bars, and it will open him up to threats and violence and intimidation and extortion, and that it will be a lot harder time to serve.

Brianna: Which the senator said he would appeal.

He, of course, is the big fish, but what happened with his two codefendants?

Brenda: Fred Daibes had another emotional plea to the judge.

He said that he actually considered suicide after the guilty verdict.

He is the Edgewater developer who bribed the senator with cash and gold bars.

He said he has an autistic son, and he cried, asking the judge for a more lenient sentence.

He got seven years in prison, three years of supervised release, and he has to pay a $1.75 million fine.

Wael Hana had asked for a two-year sentence, said he was an innocent man.

The judge gave him eight years and a $1.25 million fine.

Brianna: Obviously, they have all left the courthouse.

When will they begin serving these sentences?

Brenda: The two codefendants are supposed to show up, they have, at a tri-state area prison April 4 -- they hope, at a tri-state area prison April 4.

But Bob Menendez is expected to be present during his wife Nadine's trial coming up March 18.

The Former Senator will be there .

His surrender date is set for June 7.

Brianna: An extraordinary downfall for the once very powerful Senate Democrats.

Brenda, great reporting.

Thanks so much.

Brenda: Thank you.

Brianna: Here are some of the other big headlines we are following tonight.

New Jersey students are still struggling to make up for pandemic learning loss.

According to the most recent release of what is called the Nation's's report card, scores for fourth and eighth graders in reading and math in 2024 have not changed much from the last time the annual nationwide standardized test was administered in 2022 or, for that matter, from two decades ago in 2003.

Huge gaps still separate black and Hispanic students from white students in the state.

Same goes for lower income students compared to those who are better off economically.

The commissioner for the National Center for education statistics told "NJ Spotlight News," the only signs of recovery are in math scores, driven largely by higher performing students.

The state Department of Ed created an office of learning equity and academic recovery to help close the gaps in development, but experts say the lack of progress means the state is facing challenges that go beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can go to our website, NJSpotlightnews.org to check out the full report.

The state's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group is issuing a travel advisory for non-binary and transgender residents.

Garden State equality is urging residents to use caution if traveling internationally, saying they are at risk when reentering the U.S., especially when using a passport with an X general market.

The advisory was issued on the heels of the Trump Administration's latest executive order blocking funding and other federal resources for the transition of people under the age of 19 from one sex to another.

The order covers gender affirming care, including puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical procedures.

It also directs bitterly run insurance programs, including TRICARE for military families and Medicaid to exclude coverage and calls on the Department of Justice to pursue litigation and legislation to oppose the practice.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman introduced legislation honoring the work of LGBTQIA+ community organizations and announced members of her newly formed advisory board who are going to give her input on LGBTQ issues and policies.

>> We do not tolerate these un-American acts that are taking place.

Ladies and gentlemen, we stand up for the America that has been the dream for so many people coming from all over the world, simply seeking to live healthy lives, free lives, and opportunities to thrive in their communities.

Brianna: The American lung Association is giving New Jersey mixed grades, including an F for tobacco control efforts.

The latest state of tobacco control report calls out the tobacco industry for blocking changes on both the state and federal level that would make for cleaner air and healthier communities, especially for people of color.

The report calls on state lawmakers to close the loophole that has continued to allow smoking and de-cigarette use inside New Jersey casinos -- later e-cigarette use inside New Jersey casinos.

-- E cigarette use inside New Jersey casinos.

According to the lung Association, nearly 12,000 people die each year in New Jersey from tobacco use while smoking remains a leading cause of death nationwide and the top cause of preventable death.

New Jersey mainly scored near failing grades, but we did earn a B for smoke-free air and the amount of public spaces where smoking was banned.

In an abrupt move this afternoon, the White House Office of Management and Budget rollback brackets freeze on federal grants and loans.

According to a copy of the memo first obtained by "the Washington Post," the order rescinds the Trump Administration's and Fareri paws on federal spending, telling federal agencies to contact General Counsel if they have questions about implementing the president's executive orders.

The move comes roughly 24 hours after the initial action spark widespread backlash and confusion by local, state, and federal officials who were unclear exactly which programs and initiatives were affected by the order.

A judge Tuesday evening also intervened, issuing a temporary stay on the attempted freeze in response to a lawsuit filed by nonprofit organizations.

For the latest, I am joined by our Washington, D.C., correspondent.

So glad to talk to you.

Yesterday, the White House press secretary essentially said it was the media that was causing all of this confusion about the call to freeze and, but today, the budget office suspended it.

What do we make of this?

Ben: The White House budget issue issued a memo that was a blanket freeze that would have affected trillions of dollars that had already been obligated, that Congress had already passed -- Republicans, Democrats -- already sent out the door, and people were scrambling.

Anyone who received federal grant money was worried about how this could affect them.

This came straight from the Trump Administration.

Brianna: You spoke with a number of different people yesterday, from Congress members to folks who run organizations here in the state.

What were they saying?

Who and what was at risk?

Ben: Interestingly, it was chaos, and they did not know what was at risk.

That really was the story.

People were trying to determine what exactly had happened, if they would be effective.

I spoke to someone who said they could not access and grant portal, an online portal needed to complete their grant work -- if they would be affected.

I spoke to someone who said they could not access a grant portal.

Also if they would be paid for services they completed.

This was just utter chaos.

Brianna: There were preventions put in place, no?

Decades ago.

There's a whole reason why Congress has the power of the purse strings.

Did this essentially circumvent that?

Was this illegal, as our Attorney General among others claimed yesterday?

Ben: There is a court case that will be heard in Washington next Monday, unless that is dismissed in the meantime.

As to constitutionality, I will defer to constitutional scholars, but this did run directly against the Constitution.

Congress has the power of the purse, as people in this building here like to say.

Republicans and Democrats, and Richard Nixon tried to get around this in the 1970's, and Congress stepped in and said, no, Mr. President, you need to spend the money as we have passed it and for the reasons and purposes we have passed it.

This was really settled law.

Brianna: The Trump Administration -- correct me -- set essentially this is to ensure that the spending is in line with the president's agenda and that presidents traditionally do this, take stock of where the money is going and does it meet the priorities that the current president has laid out?

Is it that or are we seeing a practice how the president has promised to reshape the government, the latest example, the offer for buyouts for federal workers?

Ben: This was distinctly different.

You are right in pointing out that administrations as they change hands will come in and reassess where money is going.

This was a blanket stop across thousands of federal moneys.

I would also point out on those buyouts they described, those are not funded.

There is no money for that, and is also will be amplified.

These budget issues will come to a head in about two months when Congress faces another funding deadline, so this budget is really an issue coming down the pike at us, and Mr. Trump has Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress.

If you wanted to make these cuts, he could go to Congress and say, please cut this, please fund this here.

Instead he did an end-around Monday night and left everybody scrambling.

Brianna: You can find out more about this and everything else going on on the hill on our website.

Local immigration advocates are doing outreach around the state, urging migrants to know their rights amid ice raids locally and promises of mass deportations.

Groups are holding events and out canvassing to teach immigrants about the protections they are afforded under the U.S. Constitution, if they are here legally or not, and what to do if or when they are approached by federal immigration agents.

Raven: Members of make the road New Jersey have been working around the clock to fold hundreds of these pamphlets.

It is part of a new, massive community outreach called know your rights or community is at highest risk to encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ice, at home, on the streets, or at the workplace.

>> we have a lot of members who are in mixed status families.

Maybe the kids are citizens and the parents are not.

Raven: The new initiative comes after President Trump implemented a mass deportation plan since taking office, putting millions of New Jersey families at risk.

Diego is the communication manager.

This week, they are canvassing areas where the most vulnerable live, eat, shop, and work.

>> this is a heavily immigrant population.

This is the heart of downtown, so it is and a lot of businesses who are from immigrant descent, that a lot of immigrants go out and buy from.

>> people are scared.

People are scared to go out.

People are scared to go shopping, go eating, go to parks, you know, go take walks.

People are really afraid.

Raven: This member knows that fear firsthand.

She immigrated from Ecuador in 2016 and lived in the U.S. undocumented for four years before finally becoming a citizen.

She witnessed her own family member being detained by ice during that time and knows the fear people are feeling, which is why she says educating folks is so important.

>> In order to do that, we need to connect with people and get past this barrier.

It is important because our organization really does encourage for them to know their rights.

Raven: This is just one of three groups spreading up to three different areas hoping to spread awareness, and these flyers that they say will educate people on what to do if they are approached by ice.

>> we are in a part of the city that is supposed to be packed with people.

People are out eating in the restaurant.

I don't know if you noticed, but the rest room that we went into, the first one, it was empty.

There is usually around this time because they came home from work lots of people eating at the restaurant, hanging out there, but right now, it was just the cookers that were in restaurants, so not very much people.

>> Do you think that is because people are afraid?

>> Yes.

Raven: What are your rights are confronted?

Remember the following vital information.

>> if they encounter ice in their homes or in the streets, they have the right to remain silent.

Everybody has that right regardless of legal status, and also, they have the right not to provide any information to the ice agents.

If an ice age and stops you and asks you for your name, for your ID, or to identify yourself, you can say, "I have the right to remain silent" and ask if they are free to go.

If the agent says they have an order against them, they have the right to request that order, for ice to show them, and they have to make sure that order has their names, their date of birth, and also is signed and stamped by a judge.

Raven: This guidance is echoed by immigration attorney Alan Poliquin, who says his phone has been ringing off the hook.

He stresses reparation is key especially for those at highest risk of being detained.

>> if that is saving up money for a bond or setting up documents to temporarily give custody to somebody else in case they do get detained or given power of attorney to somebody to handle some of their assets and property if they are detained.

Raven: Next Tuesday, they plan on holding an event in Passaic and in Elizabeth.

They also hold meetings every Thursday at their office for anyone who may want more information or guidance on what to do if they or someone they love has been approached or detained by ice.

Brianna: For the 11th year in a row, Monarch housing is conducting its annual point in time count to get a snapshot of how many kids and adults are facing homelessness on a single night in all 21 of New Jersey's counties.

The information is critical in helping community groups determine how to allocate money and services.

Ted Goldberg was at the kickoff of the count in Trenton with a local rescue Mission has seen its highest spike in homelessness since opening their doors more than a decade ago.

Ted: The Trenton rescue mission is busier than ever.

COO John Hart says they have more than 59,000 beds days last year, a 40% jump from 2023.

John: We are seeing a natural progression with our -- with regard to our economy.

The issues we are seeing in other neighborhoods in which communities are pushing out the homeless, and eventually they will travel and move to where they can get care and oversight.

Ted: He says the rescue Mission does not ask many questions.

If you are 18 years old and need a place to stay, they have a place for you, chairs, tables, even books and a TV in their comfort center.

>> We start with the concept of dignity and it is not dignified, so we have and will continue to look for ways to make sure that we meet the needs of our clients, that we feed them.

That is important to us.

Read them and give them the opportunity to eat three times a day.

That would clothe them.

Ted: The rescue mission's clothing store was moved what used to be a walkway because they needed room to expand their shelter center.

Funding is partly determined by how many people are experiencing homelessness in Mercer County and volunteers are working around a 24-hour period to count here and across the state.

>> it is so important for us to have a point in time because it sets the context for us.

It is important for us and I'm proud that we are counting in a state that values this and makes it a point to do this census and we should be counting those in the situations.

>> Last year, the count was 934, representing a 30% increase over the year before.

Ted: Trenton's mayor says the number will likely be higher this year, and hart agrees with him.

>> we all talk and coordinate and collaborate and communicate with each other.

We share data, and we know what each of these agencies, each of the folks who are designed to combat the issue of homelessness in New Jersey and Mercer County.

Victor: I decided to come here and get involved in this.

Ted: Volunteer Victor Ventura is happy to be among the volunteers.

Victor: It is great to have test to help someone who really needs us.

Dan: The folks that we meet today, as we know, help not only to get funding but also helps us to make sure that they are more than just a number that we can't today.

Ted: Like many other things, federal funding for groups like the Trenton rescue mission depend on this count but is now hanging in the balance over President Trump's threats to pause federal loans and grants.

>> which would include social safety net services such as this .

Luckily, the federal court stopped that.

We will have to see how it goes up the ranks.

>> The caddy, as you know, plays a key role in partnership to make sure the social service delivery occurs uninterrupted, no matter what is happening at the state or federal levels, and unfortunately, a lot is happening at these days.

Ted: A lot is also happening at the Trenton rescue mission where regardless of the count and the Edex, workers are doing their best to help people struggling with homelessness and try to get people back on their feet.

Brianna: That is going to do it for us tonight.

Before you go, a reminder, you can catch "Chat Box with David Cruz" tomorrow night where he talks to Tom Kane about how the Trump Administration's executive orders and policy changes are impacting the state.

Plus, his assessment of the GOP in New Jersey.

That is streaming tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m.. For the entire team at "NJ Spotlight News," have a great night.

We will see you back here tomorrow.

>> New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RWJBarnabas health.

Let's be healthy together.

And Orsted, committed to delivering clean, reliable, American energy.

♪