WILDWOOD, NJ – During a packed rally in Wildwood on Saturday, former President Donald Trump cited a report by Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, which details the financial impact of illegal immigration on New Jersey. Trump discussed the $7.3 billion annual cost to state residents, emphasizing a per-household cost of $2,100. He linked these expenditures to reduced funding for infrastructure projects like bridges and roads.
“They’re coming in illegally because the benefits in addition to other reasons. According to a new study, illegal immigration is already causing New Jersey residents $7.3 billion every single year. That’s $2,100 per household, more than any state anywhere in the country, and it stops the spending on bridges, roads, NJ Transit and all of those other things that we need,” Trump said.
Trump attributed these challenges to the policies of Joe Biden and the Democrats, suggesting that such policies attract illegal immigration. Meanwhile, Kanitra criticized Democrat-led initiatives in New Jersey for offering substantial taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants, including housing, medical care, and legal support. He claimed these policies are overly generous and unsustainable.
“President Trump nailed it when he said we Americans have big hearts and want to help people, but that we can’t afford these Democrat policies that throw taxpayer money and benefits at illegal immigrants,” Kanitra (R-Ocean) said. “The United States and New Jersey governments need to uphold law and order and put United States and New Jersey legal residents, including those immigrants here legally, first.”
Kanitra, representing Ocean County, advocated for significant changes to policies and programs that benefit illegal immigrants. He called for the cessation of education subsidies and legal aid, tighter border security, and enhanced cooperation with federal immigration authorities, aiming to prioritize the needs of legal residents and immigrants.