New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has come under the scrutiny of federal authorities after making comments earlier this year about potentially offering refuge to someone with unresolved immigration status. The FBI is investigating the Democratic governor's remarks, which were made during a public event and involved a discussion he had with his wife about the possibility of allowing an individual to temporarily reside in their home.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, is overseeing the investigation. At least four individuals connected to the matter have been contacted by the FBI for information related to Murphy’s statements. The New York Times reports that as part of the inquiry, the governor was served with a federal subpoena. However, he has not been formally interviewed by federal authorities as of the latest updates.
During the event in question, Governor Murphy said, "Tammy and I were talking about… I don’t want to get into too much detail, but there’s someone in our broader universe whose immigration status is not yet at the point that they are trying to get it to. And, we said, ‘You know what? Let’s have her live at our house above our garage,’ and good luck to the feds coming in to try to get her.” This quote from Breitbart News has raised questions about the governor's stance on immigration enforcement and adherence to federal laws.
A spokesperson later clarified to the Associated Press that the situation Murphy described was hypothetical and that no individual with unresolved immigration status has lived at the Murphy residence. The governor, who has been a vocal supporter of progressive immigration policies, signed legislation in 2019 allowing illegal immigrants in New Jersey to obtain driver’s licenses and learner’s permits. He also backed measures to let illegal immigrants apply for professional and occupational licenses in various fields.
Murphy’s 2017 gubernatorial campaign included a promise to make New Jersey a “sanctuary state,” and once in office, he and then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal implemented directives limiting local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, amid intensified public scrutiny, Murphy has recently adopted a more cautious tone on the issue, leading some to speculate that he is backtracking.
The current investigation adds a layer of legal and political pressure on Murphy. Habba, appointed during Trump’s second term, is also examining broader concerns about New Jersey's immigration enforcement policies. To date, neither the Department of Justice nor Habba's office has issued a public statement about the subpoena or the direction of the investigation.
The woman Murphy mentioned in his comments has not been identified, and no further details about her immigration status have been released. No charges have been filed against the governor, and he has not publicly addressed the situation since the initial remarks.
