Wayne PAC Fighting Gov's Plan For Legal Aid To Illegal Immigrants

WAYNE, NJ — A township-based political action committee said it will fight a plan by Governor Phil Murphy to provide legal aid to illegal immigrants.

The New Jersey Organization for Economic Growth (OEG) said it will mount a petition campaign to oppose Murphy's plan to create the Office of Immigrant Protection. The office would fall within the Department of Law and Public Safety and would provide legal representation to illegal immigrants if they need it.

"It is a slap in the face of law abiding, hard working men and women in New Jersey — many of whom cannot afford legal services for themselves — to be forced to fund a government agency that gives free legal aid to non citizens," said Joseph Caruso, OEG chairman and a Wayne resident. "Spending taxpayer money to help people who entered our country illegally to further evade the law is the wrong priority for New Jersey."

OEG stated in a press release, referencing the Federation for American Immigration reform, that 372,000 people live in New Jersey illegally and they cost state taxpayers in excess of $2.1 billion annually for health, schooling and incarceration services.

Murphy said during his campaign that "immigrants and dreamers represent our best hopes and aspirations.

"They are a vital part of our state and our future," Murphy said. "I will protect them and ensure that their dreams do in fact come true right here, in their home state."

Caruso's group will immediately begin a petition drive to show Murphy and his administration they are "out of step with the rest of the state."

The group wants to get 915,000 signatures — the same number of people who live below the poverty line in New Jersey — according to the U.S. Census. That number is about 10 percent of the state's population.

Caruso founded the OEG in October to advocate for economic policies that create jobs and support pro-growth political candidates.

Related: Wayne Business Executive Launches New PAC

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