Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano: Murphy Delusional to Think He’s “Prepared” to Accept Illegal Immigrants from Other States

Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (all R-10) said Governor Murphy is delusional if he thinks New Jersey is “prepared” to accept illegal immigrants that might be transported from other states when his administration has failed to deliver basic government services to New Jersey residents.

“Unemployment is still a mess, the MVC remains broken, and good luck getting through on the phone to file for your ANCHOR rebate,” said Holzapfel. “Frankly, the Murphy administration hasn’t even proven itself prepared to serve New Jerseyans. Instead of fixing these broken government services, Governor Murphy has focused on turning New Jersey into an expensive sanctuary state while our families, seniors, and children are left behind.”

In 2019, New Jersey became a sanctuary state when the Murphy administration announced the “Immigrant Trust Directive,” which prohibits state, county, and local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws.

McGuckin said the administration’s sanctuary state policies come at a great cost to New Jersey.

“Governor Murphy showed us in his budget what it costs to be a sanctuary state,” said McGuckin. “He’s funding expensive cash payments and free health care for illegals while cutting state aid to schools, jacking up health care costs for teachers and first responders, and driving up property taxes. There’s no sanctuary for New Jersey taxpayers in Phil Murphy’s sanctuary state.”

After funding $2,000 payments to illegal immigrants last year, Governor Murphy announced in July that he’ll dedicate another $53 million in federal pandemic relief funds to make payments of $500 to illegal immigrants this year.

Further, the FY 2023 State Budget enacted by the governor in June authorized unlimited funding to provide free health care for the children of illegal immigrants. Under the program, illegal immigrants will not be required to pay any premiums for their health care coverage.

The same budget cut funding to nearly 200 school districts and set the stage for massive health care premium increases that will drive up costs for hundreds of thousands of teachers and local government employees.

Catalano said property taxpayers will bear the burden of these expensive policy decisions as they pay the majority of school costs and health care premiums for public employees.

“Governor Murphy is handing out free health care like lollipops to illegal immigrants while teachers, police officers, and firefighters are getting hit with massive premium increases that few can afford,” added Catalano. “It’s another example of this administration bending over backward for lawbreakers while putting the burden on New Jerseyans who play by the rules and pay the bills.”