In a stunning report that’s ruffled more than a few feathers, New Jersey Republican Assemblyman Paul Kanitra has shone a stark light on the colossal financial burden illegal immigration imposes on taxpayers in the Garden State. Released just this Tuesday, Kanitra’s “Report on the Cost of Illegal Aliens to New Jerseyans” pegs the annual cost to state taxpayers at a jaw-dropping $7.3 billion. Yes, billion with a ‘B.’
Kanitra, armed with data and fresh insights from a recent trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, estimates a staggering 894,000 illegal immigrants reside in New Jersey. That’s nearly one in ten people in a state of just under 10 million. These individuals, according to the report, are significantly straining state resources, consuming millions in housing, legal services, medical care, education, and emergency services. This isn’t just a fiscal issue; it’s a full-blown crisis, bleeding New Jersey dry.
What’s perhaps even more infuriating is the assertion from Kanitra that policies in New Jersey are acting as a magnet for illegal immigration. By offering a slew of taxpayer-funded benefits, we’re essentially rolling out the red carpet for lawbreakers, encouraging a flood of illegal entry not just from our southern border but from across the globe. This isn’t just an abstract problem; it’s a calculated drain on our resources that affects every lawful resident of our state.
The assemblyman’s findings are a clarion call for immediate reform. He’s not just pointing out problems; he’s offering tangible solutions. Kanitra’s proposals include sensible measures like marking citizenship or legal status on state IDs, halting education subsidies for illegal immigrants, mandating the use of E-Verify by employers, and requiring the reporting of legal status for those using healthcare services. These are not radical ideas; they’re practical steps to safeguard the interests of legal residents and restore some semblance of order to our beleaguered immigration system.
Let’s face it: under the current administration, the situation at the border has spiraled into chaos. Since Joe Biden took office, there have been over 6 million encounters at the southern border—a clear signal that federal policies are failing us. It’s high time states like New Jersey stop bearing the brunt of Washington’s failures.
Assemblyman Kanitra’s efforts to quantify the impact of illegal immigration and propose actionable solutions should be a wake-up call to every taxpayer in New Jersey—and indeed, every American. We need leaders who are willing to tackle this issue head-on, not with platitudes or empty promises, but with firm actions that protect our communities. The clock is ticking, and New Jersey, much like the rest of America, can’t afford to wait.
