New Jersey’s governor became the latest Democrat to change their tune about illegal immigration after being forced to confront the problems experienced by southwest border states.
Gov. Phil Murphy shifted his “sanctuary state” position on immigration policies, according to a report from The Epoch Times.
He declined a Biden administration proposal to relocate some of the 60,000 asylum seekers that has New York City Mayor Eric Adams singing the blues as he begs for money.
The feds asked Murphy to route illegals from southern states through to the Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
“I don’t see any scenario where we’re going to be able to take in a program in Atlantic City or frankly elsewhere in the state,” Murphy said during News 12 New Jersey’s “Ask Gov. Murphy” show.
“We are already seeing folks in New Jersey that have probably swelled into Jersey from New York City or from other locations, but you need scale, enormous amount of federal support — resources that go beyond anything that we can afford — putting everything else aside.”
In the past, the Garden State governor has been a staunch advocate for liberal immigration policies. During his 2017 gubernatorial campaign, he emphasized the importance of making New Jersey a “sanctuary state.”
His stance was met with criticism from his Republican opponent, who warned of risks from providing sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. Murphy countered at the time that sanctuary policies were about “inclusiveness” and the election was about the “nation’s moral compass” and “the goodness of America,” as reported by Politico.
A group of Republican legislators from New Jersey’s 13th district released a joint statement expressing their concerns.
“New Jersey should not in any way, shape or form be used as a scapegoat to bear the fallout of failed Democrat Policies which continuously impact Americans and immigrants,” the Republican lawmakers declared.
They further emphasized the need for the governor and U.S. senators to address the immigration crisis and not allow New Jersey to be used to mask inefficiencies of federal politicians.
“We can’t afford it,” Atlantic County executive Dennis Levinson said. “We’re a poor county. We’re one of the poorest counties in New Jersey. It’s not a burden I can put on our taxpayers.”
The debate over immigration policies is not limited to New Jersey. New York’s leaders are also grappling with the consequences of their party’s border policies.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) attributed the crisis to the federal government.
“This crisis originated with the federal government, and it must be resolved through the federal government,” Hochul said. “The borders and decisions about who can work are solely determined by the federal government.”
NYC Mayor Eric Adams has laid responsibility for funding his city’s sanctuary policies at the doorstep of Hochul.
The influx of asylum seekers has placed a significant financial burden on New York City.
Over the past year, more than 90,000 foreigners have sought asylum in the city, according to Adams.
The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget estimates the cost of providing shelter and other services to these individuals at $1.4 billion in 2023 and $2.8 billion in 2024.
Despite the city’s guarantee of housing for all residents of the city, the surge of illegals has outpaced city efforts to house them, resulting in illegals sleeping on city sidewalks near the midtown Roosevelt Hotel.
A tent city was recently constructed to house 1,000 single male illegals at a former state psychiatric facility in Queens, despite fierce local opposition.
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