Politics behind Governor Murphy's decision about migrants in NJ

By: Charles Stile
Political Stile
USA Today Network

..... As a first-time candidate in 2017, Governor Phil Murphy burnished his brand as a progressive by pleading to convert New Jersey into a sanctuary state that would protect undocumented immigrants.
..... But earlier this month [09/2023] Murphy shut down the welcome wagon. After Bloomberg News reported that President Joe Biden's administration is considering relocating some 60,000 migrants and refugees from New York city to 11 federally owned facilities in the region - including the Atlantic City International Airport - Murphy said New Jersey could not help.
..... Suddenly, the governor who green lighted drivers' licenses for undocumented drivelers, in-state tuition rates for their children, and blocks of pandemic relief aid when the Legislature balked, sounded as if he was putting up a verbal equivalent of concertina wire around the state's borders.
..... "I don't see any scenario, Eric, where we're going to be able to take in a program in Atlantic City or frankly, elsewhere in the state," Murphy told News 12 host Eric Landskroner on August 31. [2023] "We are already seeing folks in New Jersey that have probably swelled in New Jersey from New York City or from other locations, but you need scale, enormous amount of federal support, resources that go beyond anything that we can afford. Putting everything else aside, I just don't see it, and I would suspect that'll continue to be the case."

Fuel for immigrants rights advocates - and Republicans

..... His remarks sparked criticism form some immigrant rights advocates, who saw Murphy's sentiment as a troubling departure, and a bipartisan freak-out, especially in south Jersey, in which some Republican trumpeted xenophobic tropes.
..... Representative Jeff Van Drew, the fire-breathing MAGA Republican congressman who represents Atlantic County, echoed former President Donald Trump's famous smearing of Mexican immigrants as rapists, criminals and drug traffickers in his 2015 campaign announcement.
..... "Those 60,000 people that they talk about, I guarantee you - I will put my name upon it - that there will be individuals who are criminals," van Drew said at a press conference opposing the possible relocation.
..... that kind of smearing, sadly, is commonplace in our Age of Trump. Still it was the criticism that the flopped on his sanctuary state vision that appearance irritated Mu0prhy the most. He vehemently denied the suggestion to reporters in Long Branch last Wednesday, [09/06/2023] and ticked off a resume of pro-immigration steps, including New Jersey's role in relocation of Afghan immigrants.
..... Let me remind you, no state has done more for our immigrate population in the past six years than New Jersey," Murphy said. He went on to outline - much like a candidate being pressed in a debate - his three-legged position on immigration reform: a need for the federal government to secure the borders, a need to provide a path to citizenship for 15 million undocumented people currently living in the United States and the creation of a humane and modernized immigration system "that brings workers, that creates job growth, economic growth in the country, which we desperately need."
..... But without the appropriate 'scale" of federal help, the Biden idea was a non-starter.
..... "I don't want to overstate and give somebody some happy talk about ways we can do it on our own, because we can't, Murphy said.

Would NJ taking on migrants rally be a burden?

..... Yet, to Amy Torres, executive director on the New Jersey Alliance For Immigration, it was a matter of emphasis. yes, Murphy was correct in emphasizing the need for adequate federal help.
..... But it was not the voice of a leader taking a proactive posture. Murphy does not appear willing to use his influence with the Biden administration to secure the needed resources or - as New York officials grappling with the surge have - demand help in processing temporary work permits while their cases are being adjudicated. It was a throw-up-your-hands kind of posturing.
..... Torres argued that Murphy's takeaway message was that the immigrants who he has championed are now a logistical and social liability. His "I just don't see it" cosing-of-the-door response reinforces xenophobic stereotypes that migrants are a danger and drag to the notion's welfare when, in fact, immigrants have long been the backbone of a thriving and proud nation, she said.
..... "The wrong ears will not hear that there are not enough resources and will hear the word 'burden' " tores said.
..... Murphy may have one simple reasoning for opposing the Biden administration's pondering of possible relocation sites at the start of the all-consuming fall campaign when all 120 seats in the Legislature are on the ballot.
..... It's the kind of issue that gives Republicans an advantage, especially in competitive swing districts in south Jersey, including the 2nd Legislative District, that includes Atlantic City and Egg harbor City, where the airport is located.
..... The GOP, which is already harnessing voter anxiety over "parental rights" involving gender transitioning children and misgivings about installing wind turbines off the Jersey Shore, will suddenly be given free reign to localize a national controversy.
..... It will lend itself to an easy and scathing campaign attack that could best be summarized this way: It's no longer a crisis along the Mexican boarder, but right here in your backyard, thanks to Joe Biden and your soon-to-be lame duck governor who has set his sites on a political life beyond Trenton.

NJ Democrats would rather focus on affordability

..... Small wonder then that Murphy's shut down the welcome wagon - and swiftly.
..... "He's being a pragmatist," said Micah Rasmussan, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University. "You can't drop something like this on the entire Legislature eight weeks before elections and not have things blow up."
..... In his election, the majority rule Democrats are already on the defensive. They would rather focus the discussion on"affordability."
..... the new, retooled welcome wagon will soon be riding down Main Street handing out larger rebate checks in October. [2023] that's the kind of "happy talk" Democrats hope New Jersey voters would rather hear.

..... Charlie Stile is a veteran New Jersey political columnist. For unlimited access to his unique insights into New Jersey's political power structure and his powerful watchdog work, please subscribe or active your digital account today.

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