New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is facing mounting scrutiny after he publicly claimed to have an undocumented immigrant living in his home. President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has pledged to investigate Murphy’s statements and take legal action if he is found to have violated federal immigration laws.
During a public event, Murphy stated that someone in his circle had not yet fully resolved their immigration status and that he had invited them to live at his residence. He then issued a defiant challenge to federal authorities, saying, “Good luck to the feds coming in to try to get her.” His remarks quickly sparked backlash and legal concerns.
Homan responded to Murphy’s comments on Fox News, making it clear that the federal government would not ignore the issue. “If he’s knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, that’s a violation of Title 8, United States Code 1324,” Homan stated. “I will seek prosecution or the secretary will seek prosecution.” He added that Murphy’s statement was reckless and suggested the governor may have broken federal law.
Murphy’s office later attempted to clarify his remarks, insisting that the person in question was a legal resident and that no undocumented immigrant was actually staying in his home. However, critics have pointed out that his initial comments seemed to suggest otherwise, particularly since he dared federal officials to intervene.
Trump’s administration has ramped up immigration enforcement in recent weeks, with ICE agents conducting large-scale raids across major U.S. cities. Homan has strongly opposed sanctuary policies that protect illegal immigrants from deportation, arguing that such policies have contributed to violent crimes and hindered law enforcement efforts.
With federal authorities now looking into Murphy’s statements, the situation could escalate into a legal battle over whether a sitting governor violated U.S. immigration law. Homan has made it clear that he is prepared to take action, and Murphy’s comments have only added fuel to the growing conflict between federal enforcement and Democrat-led states resisting Trump’s crackdown.
