In a surprising policy shift, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a vocal advocate for creating a "sanctuary state," has taken a markedly different stance on border policies. Governor Murphy has refused to accept illegal immigrants, challenging a proposal from the Biden administration to relocate some of New York City's estimated 60,000 undocumented residents to the Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. This abrupt change has ignited discussions about whether New York Governor Kathy Hochul will make a similar pivot on immigration.
Governor Murphy, a Democrat, expressed his reluctance to accommodate illegal immigrants during a recent episode of News 12 New Jersey's "Ask Gov. Murphy" show, stating, "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." He cited resource constraints and the need for substantial federal support as key reasons behind his decision. This shift in policy is striking, given Murphy's history of staunch support for liberal immigration policies.
In 2017, while running for office, Governor Murphy was a vocal proponent of making New Jersey a sanctuary state. At the time, he emphasized the values of inclusiveness and positioned the election as a referendum on "the nation's moral compass" and "the goodness of America." This stance, however, drew criticism from his Republican opponent, who warned against violating federal law and compromising public safety.
Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, is currently navigating the immigration issue in New York, a neighboring state facing similar challenges. When asked about the immigration crisis, Governor Hochul placed the responsibility squarely on the federal government, asserting, "This crisis originated with the federal government, and it must be resolved through the federal government … The borders and decisions about who can work are solely determined by the federal government."
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NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy
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Moreover, during a community meeting on the Upper West Side, Mayor Adams warned that the ongoing migrant crisis "will destroy NYC." He expressed deep concern about the seemingly unending nature of the problem, stating, "Never in my life have I had a problem that I didn't see an ending to, I don't see an ending to this."
The immigration crisis continues to escalate, with significant consequences for the region. In 2020, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 458,088 encounters at the southwest land border. This figure surged to 1.73 million in 2021 and 2.37 million in 2022. As of July 2023, encounters have already exceeded 1.97 million.
New York City has been particularly affected, with over 100,000 illegal migrants coming to New York in the past year, citing threats of violence and persecution in their home countries, according to City Hall. The Mayor's Office of Management and Budget estimates the cost of providing shelter and services to these illegal immigrants and asylum seekers at $1.4 billion in 2023 and a substantial $2.8 billion in 2024.
As the immigration crisis continues to evolve, the decisions made by state leaders in New Jersey and New York will have far-reaching implications for their communities and the nation. The question remains whether Governor Kathy Hochul will follow in Governor Murphy's footsteps in navigating this complex and contentious issue.