Written by Johnathan Carter.
On Monday, Border Czar Tom Homan took issue with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s comment about housing a migrant in his home, a statement that’s now at the center of a heated debate. Homan wasn’t having it. He made it clear that if Murphy was really hiding someone without legal documentation, he wasn’t going to let the matter slide. “I got note of it, won’t let it go, we’ll look into it,” Homan said, emphasizing that the law needed to be upheld, no matter what.
Murphy’s office tried to clarify that the statement had been taken out of context, but Homan wasn’t convinced. According to him, harboring undocumented individuals is a clear violation of U.S. law, specifically Title 8 of the United States Code 1324, which makes it illegal to hide or assist someone who is in the country unlawfully. And if Murphy was breaking the law, Homan warned he wouldn’t hesitate to seek prosecution, even if it meant going all the way to the Secretary of Homeland Security to make it happen.
The Issue with Sanctuary Policies
Governor Murphy’s comments come at a time when many states and local governments are resisting federal immigration policies, particularly those of the Trump administration, which has focused on increasing deportations. Chicago, for example, has openly encouraged its residents to exercise their “rights” in resisting these deportation policies, leading to a public clash between local officials and federal authorities. The term “sanctuary cities” has been used to describe areas that provide refuge to undocumented immigrants, but the pushback has grown stronger, especially as tensions around immigration laws continue to rise.
This isn’t just a philosophical argument — it’s one that has legal implications. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently suggested that people should have the right to sue sanctuary cities and states that support lawbreakers. The idea is that citizens should be able to take legal action against areas that actively shelter illegal immigrants. For some, it’s about keeping the rule of law intact and preventing the abuse of immigration policies. For others, it’s about compassion and protecting vulnerable individuals from being torn away from their families.
The Stakes Are High for Murphy and Others
Tom Homan wasted no time calling out Murphy’s comments. Homan, known for his no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement, made it clear that if Murphy knowingly violated the law by concealing an illegal alien, there would be consequences. Homan’s stance isn’t about political gamesmanship; it’s about the integrity of the immigration system.
The law is clear: helping someone who is in the country illegally is a violation, plain and simple. So, when Homan says he won’t let the matter go, he means it. Whether or not Governor Murphy was simply making a careless remark or if he’s truly involved in something more serious remains to be seen. But for many, the possibility of a public official disregarding immigration laws sends the wrong message about what’s acceptable behavior. Homan, and others who share his view, believe that holding those in power accountable is crucial for maintaining order in the country.
Our Take
This situation exposes a much larger issue that continues to divide the country: how should we handle immigration, especially when local governments openly defy federal policies? For many, sanctuary cities have become symbols of resistance to what they view as harsh or unfair immigration laws. However, from a conservative perspective, it’s difficult to overlook the potential for lawbreaking under the guise of compassion. It’s one thing to show mercy, but it’s another entirely to disregard the laws that govern our nation.
We have to ask ourselves, where does this kind of defiance end? If local leaders are allowed to flaunt federal law without consequences, it sets a dangerous precedent. People in positions of power need to understand that the law must be followed, even when it’s politically inconvenient or controversial. Otherwise, the very system that keeps the country running could start to unravel.
Compassion is important, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of law and order. If we allow the laws to be bent in favor of political agendas, we might find ourselves in a situation where nobody respects the rule of law anymore.
