BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. — New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra is escalating his criticism of the state’s immigration policies, releasing a new report Tuesday that claims illegal immigration costs New Jersey taxpayers $8.2 billion each year and calling on the federal government to deport every person living in the state illegally.
Kanitra, a Republican representing parts of Ocean County, said his office spent six months compiling the report through Open Public Records Act requests, government data analysis and other public records. He announced that he has formally requested intervention from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and the House Judiciary Committee, arguing New Jersey has become “hopelessly compromised” by its handling of illegal immigration.
- Assemblyman Paul Kanitra released a report claiming illegal immigration costs New Jersey $8.2 billion annually.
- The report estimates approximately 737,000 people are living in New Jersey illegally.
- Kanitra says he has requested federal intervention from the DOJ, DHS and House Judiciary Committee.
- The Republican lawmaker is calling for the deportation of every person living in New Jersey illegally.
Report estimates billions in annual costs
Kanitra’s report estimates that approximately 737,000 people are living in New Jersey without legal immigration status, costing taxpayers roughly $8.2 billion each year through education, healthcare, public services and other government expenditures.
“A staggering $8.2B is being spent every single year on 737,000 illegal invaders in New Jersey,” Kanitra wrote in announcing the report. “And it’s costing each of you $1,700 a year.”
The assemblyman further argued that renters face additional indirect costs because of increased housing demand.
“If you rent, you can add another $1,000 annually onto that figure from illegals driving up housing costs,” he wrote.
The figures presented in Kanitra’s report have not been independently verified by the State of New Jersey. Democratic leaders have historically disputed Republican estimates regarding the fiscal impacts of illegal immigration, often arguing that immigrants also contribute through taxes, labor participation and economic activity.
Federal agencies asked to intervene
Rather than simply criticizing state policy, Kanitra said his office has taken the unusual step of requesting federal intervention.
“Our new report on the size, scope and cost of illegal immigration in NJ is now out,” he wrote. “We’ve found a state so hopelessly compromised that we’ve officially requested federal intervention from the DOJ, DHS and House Judiciary Committee.”
The request comes amid heightened national attention on immigration enforcement following renewed federal deportation efforts under the Trump administration.
Kanitra argues that despite increased deportations and voluntary departures from the country, New Jersey continues to spend billions supporting individuals who are in the United States illegally.
“What’s even crazier is this is all despite an overall drop in illegals due to deportations and self deportations!” he said.
Driver’s licenses, OPRA requests and mapping immigration patterns
One of the report’s central claims involves New Jersey’s driver’s license program for undocumented immigrants.
Kanitra said his office obtained affidavits submitted by applicants through public records requests and analyzed those records to determine where undocumented immigrants are residing throughout New Jersey.
“We spent six months meticulously gathering data, submitting OPRA requests and crunching numbers,” Kanitra wrote.
“By pulling the actual affidavits illegals use to get driver’s licenses, we not only were able to definitively prove over 100,000 are crowding our roadways… but for the first time we can map where they live by zip code.”
New Jersey began allowing residents without proof of lawful immigration status to obtain standard driver’s licenses under legislation signed by former Gov. Phil Murphy. Supporters of the law argued it improved roadway safety by ensuring more drivers were licensed, tested and insured. Critics, including Kanitra, have argued the policy encourages illegal immigration and imposes additional burdens on taxpayers.
Education, healthcare and legal aid cited
Kanitra’s report identifies several categories of spending that he says have increased dramatically over the past several years.
Among the figures highlighted by the assemblyman are:
- $26 million annually for legal assistance helping immigrants fight deportation proceedings, which he said represents an 830 percent increase since 2018.
- $169 million in healthcare spending for undocumented minors, which he said has increased 417 percent since 2022.
- Approximately $1.28 billion spent educating newly arrived undocumented immigrants, which he said has increased 53 percent since 2019.
Those spending figures are presented in Kanitra’s report as examples of what he describes as growing financial obligations placed on New Jersey taxpayers.
The report also disputes a common argument made by immigration advocates that undocumented immigrants offset government costs through taxes.
“And for the bleeding hearts who can’t think for themselves and mindlessly parrot the BS line that illegals pay for themselves with sales taxes…. We’ve crunched the numbers for you,” Kanitra wrote. “It only makes up 16% of the overall drain they create for this state. So don’t even try it.”
That conclusion reflects Kanitra’s analysis and has not been independently verified. Economists and policy organizations have reached differing conclusions regarding the net fiscal impact of undocumented immigration depending on which taxes, services and long-term economic factors are included in their calculations.
Broader political debate
Kanitra tied the report directly to issues many New Jersey residents have experienced in recent years, arguing that spending on undocumented immigrants comes at the expense of other priorities.
“The situation simply isn’t sustainable,” he wrote. “Schools are cutting teachers, sports and after school programs. First responders can’t get cost of living increases. The average first time home buyer is in their 40’s.”
He concluded by saying, “Every legal New Jerseyan’s wallet has been emptied to pay for illegals. It’s time to return all their money.”
Kanitra’s remarks represent one of the strongest immigration statements issued this year by a New Jersey elected official and reflect a broader Republican push for stricter immigration enforcement both nationally and within the state.
Democratic lawmakers have generally defended New Jersey’s immigration policies, arguing they improve public safety, strengthen communities and ensure residents can legally drive, obtain healthcare and cooperate with law enforcement regardless of immigration status.
“Send every single invader home”
Kanitra ended his announcement with a call for mass deportations, using language that underscores the increasingly heated political debate over immigration.
“The State and this Administration has lost its freaking mind,” he wrote.
“It’s time to send every single invader home.”
The report is expected to become a focal point in upcoming legislative debates over immigration, state spending and cooperation with federal immigration authorities as Republicans continue pressing the Sherrill administration on border security and enforcement issues.
Whether Kanitra’s requests result in action by the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security or congressional committees remains to be seen.
FAQ
- What does Assemblyman Paul Kanitra’s report claim?
The report claims illegal immigration costs New Jersey taxpayers approximately $8.2 billion annually and estimates about 737,000 undocumented immigrants reside in the state. - What action is Kanitra requesting?
He says he has formally requested intervention from the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and the House Judiciary Committee. - Has the State of New Jersey responded?
As of publication, the Sherrill administration had not publicly responded to Kanitra’s latest report or its findings.
Source: Statement from Assemblyman Paul Kanitra and materials released by the New Jersey Assembly Republican Office.
