Trenton, NJ — Last year, a 28-page report issued by Assemblyman Paul Kanitra revealed that illegal immigration is costing New Jersey taxpayers a staggering $7.3 billion per year—amounting to more than $2,100 per household and nearly $1,600 for every working resident.
This year, with increased services to illegal aliens and federal cuts to government provided services under President Donald J. Trump, that figure could be far more.
The findings, compiled by Kanitra’s legislative team over a two-month investigation, estimate that approximately 892,000 illegal aliens currently reside in New Jersey—up from the Federation for American Immigration Reform’s 2023 estimate of 755,000.
Using state budget data, federal statistics, and census numbers, the report calculates that the largest portion of these costs—about $6.2 billion—comes from K-12 education expenses for illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children. Other significant expenditures include public safety, legal services, emergency medical care, housing, and general government services.
Covering everything from taxpayer-funded legal defense to discounted E-ZPass and NJ Transit benefits, the report lays out line-item impacts, including $34 million on emergency hospital services and $15.7 million on legal services for aliens facing deportation. The “Cover All Kids” initiative alone is projected to cost $15.5 million this fiscal year, as it extends coverage to all income-eligible children, regardless of immigration status.
In terms of education, the report identifies the public school system as the most heavily burdened taxpayer cost. An estimated 33,000 illegal alien minors and an additional 188,000 children born to illegal immigrants are receiving public education services—bringing the combined yearly cost to over $6.2 billion after inflation adjustments.
General government administration services, such as judicial and public building operations, account for $366 million in indirect benefits to illegal aliens, while policing, corrections, and fire protection add another $624 million.
The report also outlines state programs created during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns, including $30 million in direct checks to illegal alien households under the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund, along with numerous housing and transitional support programs estimated to have cost at least $2 million in 2023.
Kanitra’s findings suggest that New Jersey is shouldering a disproportionate share of the nation’s unauthorized population—hosting about 1 in 22 of the country’s illegal aliens while comprising only 1 in 37 of the U.S. population. That imbalance, he argues, results in an inflated burden on state resources, schools, and infrastructure.
While the report does not attempt to evaluate any offsetting economic contributions from undocumented residents—citing insufficient reliable data on tax payments—it cites prior FAIR estimates that suggest a net fiscal deficit.
To address the rising costs, Kanitra recommends a series of legislative actions, including stricter reporting of legal status, repeal of sanctuary city policies, mandatory E-Verify for employers, and a lawsuit to overturn the Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision that mandates education for children regardless of immigration status.
He also proposes a “Unifying Families and Bring Them Home Act,” which would fund voluntary repatriation flights for illegal aliens under the condition they not re-enter the U.S.
The report closes by urging state and federal lawmakers to reassess budget priorities and representation metrics, including calls to adjust census procedures to exclude non-citizens from redistricting and resource allocation.
Key Points
- Assemblyman Paul Kanitra’s report estimates New Jersey taxpayers spend $7.3 billion annually on services for illegal aliens
- The bulk of the cost—$6.2 billion—comes from educating illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children
- Kanitra proposes ending state subsidies, increasing enforcement, and challenging federal education mandates
New Jersey taxpayers are footing a multibillion-dollar bill for illegal immigration—and a new report says the price tag is rising fast.
