ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Two Republican candidates for New Jersey governor are calling on federal authorities to investigate Gov. Phil Murphy after a video surfaced in which he allegedly admitted to harboring an illegal immigrant at his home.
The story was first reported by Shore News Network, a day before being picked up by Fox News.
Mario Kranjac, an America First Republican and former Englewood Cliffs mayor, called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “pay a visit” to Murphy, accusing the Democratic governor of breaking federal immigration laws.
“Phil Murphy just implicated himself in a CRIME! Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time,” Kranjac posted on social media. “When I’m Governor, EVERYONE is getting deported.”
Joseph Rudy Rullo, another Republican gubernatorial candidate, echoed Kranjac’s concerns, urging an investigation into Murphy’s statements. “I would like to see ICE investigate the matter,” Rullo said. “The governor has expressed that he will fight to the death against the federal operation against criminal illegal aliens. This is dangerous rhetoric.”
Rullo warned that Murphy’s stance could encourage other residents to harbor undocumented immigrants, but unlike the governor, they would not have the protection of state police security.
Murphy has long supported immigrant-friendly policies, including limiting local law enforcement cooperation with ICE under New Jersey’s “sanctuary state” policies. His administration has not responded to the calls for an investigation.
“Attention @RealTomHoman and @ICEgov the governor of NJ dares you to arrest #IllegalAliens in his NJ home. Please remind him he’s breaking the law “aiding & abetting” #VoteEdTheTrucker I will end sanctuary state & work with @POTUS,” Ed Durr, a third Trump diehard running for governor said today on X.