Governor Murphy wasn’t very ambiguous when his administration declared New Jersey a “Sanctuary State” back in 2018.
“Families who came to New Jersey for a better life do not deserve to be torn apart by the federal government’s cruel and discriminatory policies,” said Murphy said back in 2018 upon announcing a related program to use taxpayers to help illegals retain counsel.
Now he’s singing a somewhat different tune after news broke that the Biden Administration proposed housing New York City’s overflow of asylum seekers at A.C. International Airport and several other sites.
“I don’t see any scenario where we’re gonna be able to take in a program in Atlantic City or, frankly, elsewhere in the state,” Murphy told News 12 New Jersey on Thursday evening. “We are already seeing folks in New Jersey that have probably swelled into New Jersey from New York or other locations, but you need scale, an enormous amount of federal support, resources that go beyond anything we can afford.”
Seriously?
What changed?
Of course, Murphy isn’t alone in changing his rhetoric. Mayors from New York City to Washington D.C. are flip-flopping on the issue of “sanctuary jurisdictions” now that the challenges associated with unrestricted and unregulated immigration are showing up on their own doorsteps. New Jersey, NYC, and D.C. are home to some of the wealthiest neighborhoods (and limousine liberals) in the world. If they can’t afford to house, clothe, and aid illegals, why do they think poor border towns should be forced to do so?
Murphy’s change in heart is probably at least somewhat tied to the upcoming New Jersey legislative elections which could see his party incur significant losses especially within driving distance of Atlantic City. Recent polling has shown flagging support for the status quo, and the images from the Southern Border on the nightly news aren’t exactly encouraging.
What’s important for voters to remember:
Murphy and his allies still BELIEVE in unrestricted immigration. Ideologically, yes, and also as a key component of their electoral strategy. Their theory – rightly or wrongly – is that illegal entry is a pathway to eventual Democrat dependence since the Democrat Party is willing to dangle goodies (like subsidized tuition) in front of new arrivals regardless of legal status.
If Murphy keeps his legislative majority in November 2023?
He’s likely to be far more welcoming to President Biden’s next migrant placement scheme in 2024.
