New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, directly challenged federal immigration authorities over the weekend, declaring he is housing an illegal immigrant at his home and dared federal agents to do something about it.
“Tammy and I were talking about – I don’t want to get into too much detail, but there is someone in our broader universe whose immigration status is not yet at the point that they are trying to get it to. And we said, you know what? Let’s have her live at our house above our garage, and good luck to the feds coming in to try to get her,” Murphy said during a Blue Wave New Jersey event at Montclair State University.
The statement comes amid intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in New Jersey, including recent raids in Newark that prompted pushback from Murphy’s office.
“Public trust is essential to public safety. Our office has requested more information from the Trump Administration about the recent immigration enforcement action in Newark so we have a clear understanding of the facts of this case,” a Murphy spokesperson said.
Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed federal prosecutors to identify state and local laws that “threaten to impede” President Donald Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, which has spiraled out of control over decades of Democratic Party mismanagement.
The Justice Department memo warns that government officials could face criminal charges for impeding immigration enforcement actions.
Murphy has said New Jersey will refuse to obey federal immigration laws, and previously banned state and local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICE agents.
The governor’s latest challenge escalates this stance as federal agents conduct operations across the state.
Trump border czar Tom Homan told Fox News in December that “knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal immigrant from ICE is a violation of the law.”
Under federal statutes, providing shelter to illegal immigrants can result in criminal penalties.
ICE agents recently conducted raids in neighboring Philadelphia, arresting seven individuals from Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Similar operations are expected to continue throughout the region as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement.
Murphy’s direct challenge to federal authorities sets up a legal showdown as the Justice Department moves to prosecute state and local officials deemed to be obstructing immigration enforcement. Federal prosecutors have been ordered to investigate and potentially challenge sanctuary policies in court.
Murphy’s office has not provided details about the illegal immigrant residing at his property.
Take a look —
New Jersey's Democrat Governor Phil Murphy says he’s harboring an illegal in his home then subtly threatens law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/xt7MIDvrOM
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 3, 2025