TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s recent allocation of $87.8 million towards undocumented immigrants has sparked criticism from Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio. The funds, intended for individuals who did not qualify for COVID relief due to undocumented status or lack of social security numbers, have been contrasted with the state’s spending on veterans, crime reduction, and housing discrimination.
DiMaio criticized the allocation, noting that the money could be better spent on veterans, community safety, and housing fairness. He expressed concern over Murphy’s ability to use federal COVID funding without legislative approval, implying a mismanagement of priorities and resources.
The Governor’s expenditure includes $50.8 million for direct cash assistance to those without social security numbers and $37 million for the Excluded New Jerseyans fund, supporting undocumented individuals and others who did not qualify for COVID relief. In contrast, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is set to receive $5 million for contractor services at state memorial homes and an additional $4 million for architectural improvements for infection control at Menlo Park and Paramus Veterans Memorial Homes.
State veterans’ homes have been requesting donations for basic items, which DiMaio highlighted to emphasize the inadequate support for veterans under state care. He also referred to a U.S. Department of Justice report criticizing the state’s care at veterans’ homes during the pandemic as “unconstitutionally deficient.”
Furthermore, DiMaio lamented the lack of legislative oversight in Murphy’s financial decisions, particularly in the context of limited funding for the Community-Based Violence Intervention Program and the Division of Civil Rights Anti-Housing Discrimination Program.
The report also mentioned Murphy’s appropriations to other programs, including the Newark Event Tourism Program and a consultancy for leveraging federal funding from the CHIPS and IRA Acts, questioning the Governor’s prioritization in state financial management.