Murphy spends $88M on undocumented immigrants while veterans struggle for basics
TRENTON, N.J. – Gov. Phil Murphy leaves office after approving nearly $88 million in spending for undocumented immigrants and other residents excluded from previous COVID relief programs, while veterans’ homes across New Jersey continue to request basic hygiene supplies from the public.
The spending, authorized without legislative approval under the state’s appropriations act in 2024, includes $50.8 million in direct cash assistance for individuals without Social Security numbers and another $37 million for participants in the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund—people who were ineligible for federal pandemic relief due to their immigration status, prior felony convictions, or other reasons.
Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio condemned the move, calling it a misuse of taxpayer dollars that prioritizes undocumented immigrants over veterans and crime prevention efforts. “Governor Murphy sits on federal COVID funding for years while inflation devalues it and payroll taxes increase, just so he can use it how he wants when nobody is paying attention and he doesn’t need permission,” DiMaio said. “The spending should be flipped so veterans who fought for this country get better care than illegal immigrants under this administration.”
“Governor Murphy sits on federal COVID funding for years while inflation devalues it and payroll taxes increase, just so he can use it how he wants when nobody is paying attention and he doesn’t need permission,” said DiMaio (R-Warren). “The spending should be flipped so veterans who fought for this country get better care than illegal immigrants under this administration, so communities face less violence and crime, so people who need a roof over their heads are treated fairly.”
By contrast, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will receive $5 million to hire a contractor for oversight and management at state-run veterans memorial homes and $4 million to fund architectural and engineering work aimed at improving infection control at the Menlo Park and Paramus facilities.
Those homes, along with the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home, have posted online wish lists asking the public to donate soap, deodorant, bed linens, denture care products, t-shirts, and tissues—items veterans advocates say the state should already be providing.
The Menlo Park and Paramus homes were sharply criticized in a 2023 U.S. Department of Justice report that found the facilities provided “unconstitutionally deficient care” during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing failures in infection control and basic medical management. A subsequent State Commission of Investigation report found that administrators were unprepared for widespread staff absences as the virus spread through the homes.
“The worst part is that he spent this money without needing any legislative approval,” DiMaio said. “Democrats simply handed over $300 million to the governor, patted him on the head and said have fun. That’s a terrible way to manage state finances.”
Murphy’s spending package also includes $5 million for the Department of Law and Public Safety’s Community-Based Violence Intervention Program, $1.6 million for the Division of Civil Rights’ Anti-Housing Discrimination Program, $3.5 million for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s Newark Event Tourism Program, and $2.5 million for the Economic Development Authority to hire consultants to pursue federal funding through the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Critics argue that while New Jersey veterans homes continue to face investigations and shortages, the administration’s priorities highlight a growing disconnect between state spending and care for those who served.