New Jersey faces mounting financial headwinds as Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat sworn in January 2026, pursues early policies including a state-run online portal for residents to upload videos and images of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The state, currently grappling with a $1.5 billion deficit, has continued to rely on residents and businesses to fund excessive government spending, as cash reserves are projected to drop below $7 billion by June.
Analysts warn the gap could widen in fiscal year 2027 due to rising costs, wealth out-migration due to progressive tax schemes, and expiring one-time pandemic payouts.
Sherrill, who campaigned on affordability, framed two executive orders as promises kept, while appearing on Comedy Central. Unironically, Sherrill told host Desi Lydic that by declaring an emergency on high utility rates, she “had got it done.”
Yet, as her January 29 appearance on The Daily Show continued, it quickly became clear that this was no joke. After claiming to have solved affordability, Sherill announced that the state would soon be funding a new anti-ICE portal.
“We are not going to allow any ICE raids to be staged from state properties,” Sherill said. “And we are going to be standing up a portal so people can upload all their call phone videos and alert people. Like, if you see ICE, get your phone out,” Sherrill said.
Sherrill, who had only been in office for a total of eight days at the time of the interview, claimed that the portal is necessary because “ICE has not been forthcoming” with her.
Despite applause from the Daily Show studio, New Jersey residents and members of the state legislature were not amused.
Minority Assembly Leader John DiMaio (R-Warren), immediately issued a statement, calling Sherill’s appearance no laughing matter.
“Public safety isn’t a punchline, and it shouldn’t be unveiled on a late-night comedy show for applause,” DiMaio said. “It should be crafted with facts, responsibility and respect for the people we trust to keep us safe.”
In recent months, federal immigration authorities in New Jersey have arrested Brallan Josue Garcia-Castro of Honduras, Anthony Agduma of the Philippines, and Rodrigo Roman Basantes of Ecuador, all convicted of sex assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Authorities have also arrested Raul Luna Perez, whose actions caused a deadly crash in Lakewood that killed a mother and her 11-year-old daughter.
“ICE has taken real criminals off our streets — offenders convicted of serious crimes against children and violent acts that put innocent lives at risk,” DiMaio said. “These are not abstract policy debates. These are real victims.”
