New Jersey governor might give $40M in federal funds to undocumented immigrants
By DANIEL HAN and KATHERINE LANDERGAN
04/14/2021 01:07 PM EDT
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is considering using federal funds to provide around $40 million in one-time stimulus payments to the state’s undocumented immigrants via executive action, according to five people familiar with the matter.
Representatives from Murphy’s office suggested the figure during a conference call with immigration advocates on Tuesday. Immigrant groups in New Jersey have lobbied for assistance during the course of the pandemic, to no avail.
The roughly $40 million figure — which would be funded through remaining federal CARES dollars — was a non-starter for advocates, who are seeking larger relief measures, such as $2,000 in direct stimulus payments to individuals and $600 in unemployment-like benefits. Sources said the 30-minute call grew “pretty heated†over the amount, which advocates said was not enough to provide real help to the state's nearly half-million undocumented immigrants. But administrative sources pointed out that the amount offered is similar to what’s in a bill that has failed to move in the Legislature.
The Democratic governor, speaking at an unrelated press conference Wednesday, acknowledged the private debate and said he was still working through his options, including tapping federal aid.
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https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2021/04/14/new-jersey-governor-might-give-40m-in-federal-funds-to-undocumented-immigrants-1374479