Illegal immigration takes a financial toll on New Jersey’s housing and public resources

The ongoing wave of migrants, driven by various policies and geopolitical issues, is having a noticeable impact on New Jersey’s housing market and public resources. New Jersey, a sanctuary state, is facing an increase in undocumented immigrants, many of whom arrive on buses sent from border states like Texas. This influx has created new challenges for housing, utilities and community spending.

Housing costs and the deficit

New Jersey’s housing market already had supply problems, and the migrant crisis only exacerbated those problems. As migrants seek asylum, demand for affordable rental housing has skyrocketed, putting pressure on housing availability. This increased demand, combined with the existing housing shortage, is driving up rents and property prices, making it harder for low-income families and first-time homebuyers alike.

Experts note that many of these migrants originally intended to go to New York, but decided to settle in New Jersey, further straining the state’s resources.

Population and economic impact

Since 2021, the number of unauthorized migrants in the state has increased. Recent estimates show that New Jersey is currently home to tens of thousands of undocumented migrants, possibly as many as 100,000.

Nationwide, the unauthorized population has grown by millions under the Biden administration. New Jersey is one of the best destinations due to its proximity to New York and more relaxed politics.

Public spending and education

The financial burden on communal services is significant. It is estimated that the cost of housing undocumented migrants in various services such as education, health care and correctional facilities in states such as Pennsylvania is in the billions of dollars annually. New Jersey is facing similar financial pressures.

Particularly affected are school districts that require additional costs to educate the children of undocumented migrants. The federal government is providing some assistance, but states like New Jersey are asking for more funding to cover rising costs. One analysis estimates that the national cost of educating the children of unauthorized immigrants exceeds $60 billion a year.

Crime rate and public safety

Although crime statistics are difficult, some government officials have expressed concern about the strain on local law enforcement agencies due to the increase in the number of migrants.

This does not mean that migrants are more likely to commit crimes, but managing a larger population in densely populated areas always presents new challenges for local police. However, definitive evidence directly linking migrants to increased crime remains inconclusive and debated.

The basic premise here is that if the criminal element of the illegal immigrant population were either properly screened at the border or prosecuted for their crimes and removed from the country, there would be almost no “migrant crime”.

Free lunch programs and community benefits

Another impact was on social security programs. New Jersey schools have faced additional demands to provide free or subsidized meals to a growing number of students from low-income immigrant families. This puts additional pressure on state budgets, especially in school districts with limited funding. The state government, led by Governor Murphy, is pushing for additional federal funding to support these programs amid rising enrollment.

Thus, the constant flow of migrants affects many aspects of life in New Jersey. Housing costs are rising, public services such as education and policing are under increasing strain, and the debate over fiscal responsibility continues. As this crisis unfolds, state leaders are calling for more federal support to manage population growth and its impact on communities.

The best New Jersey immigration attorneys can help migrants protect their rights

New Jersey is home to several top immigration attorneys known for their experience and successful track record in complex immigration cases. Among the top five is the firm Wildes & Weinberg, headed by Michael Wildes, which is often sought after in high-profile and corporate immigration cases.

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP, with its strong team, handles a wide range of business immigration and compliance matters. The Gursoy Immigration Law Firm, led by attorney Michael Gursoy, is recognized for its work in the areas of deportation defense and family immigration. Harlan York & Associates, under Harlan York, specializes in complex deportation and criminal immigration cases. Finally, Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, led by David Nachman, provides comprehensive employment and family immigration legal services. These attorneys and firms are known for their in-depth knowledge of evolving immigration law and their commitment to guiding clients through the legal complexities of the US immigration system.