Bill Spadea has pledged to support President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation plan and is criticizing his rival for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, Jack Ciattarelli, for offering “resistance to our mission.”
In a letter to Tom Homan, Trump’s pick for his new Border Czar, Spadea promised his “unwavering support” for efforts to “end, and reverse, illegal immigration.”
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris broke our immigration system and put the safety of every American citizen at risk along the way – you and President Trump will fix it,” he said.
Spadea also released a digital ad on his immigration stance.
In “Luis Gutierrez,” Spadea speaks directly to camera and contrasts his positions with those of Ciattarelli.
Script: “This guy kidnapped a woman from a Toms River grocery store at knifepoint — beat her unconscious. Guess what? He was here illegally. Biden invited this garbage into our country, and Jack Ciattarelli supports driver’s licenses for illegals. Seriously, I’ll end the handouts illegals get from politicians like Ciattarelli. Eliminate aid for sanctuary cities and enforce all Ice detainers. When I’m governor. illegals will get two handouts: handcuffs, and a one way ticket out of Jersey.”
The move advances Spadea’s bid to make himself the rightful heir to Trump voters – and to block Ciattarelli’s ability to do precisely that.
Spadea accused Ciattarelli of opposing Trump’s plan to deport those who crossed the border into the U.S. without authorization.
“Nearly every Republican – and most Americans – support President Trump and his illegal immigration platform…but not Jack Ciattarelli,” Spadea wrote. He quoted Ciattarelli as saying during his 2021 campaign for governor, “We are not going to deport 14, 15 or 16 million people that came to this country that are undocumented. We need to put them on a path to recognition. We need to do that.”
He also notified Homan of Ciattarelli’s past support for unauthorized residents being issued New Jersey driver’s licenses and for backing legislation to give unauthorized immigrants access to college tuition benefits paid for by state taxpayers.
“Unfortunately, that will make President Trump’s mission even harder,” Spadea said. Come January 2026, when I am inaugurated, you will have a strong partner working with you and President Trump to tackle illegal immigration, fortify our borders, and uphold our laws. A collaborative federal-state partnership will strengthen our national security.”
Ciattarelli said this week that he was supportive of some Trump immigration policies.
“I will work with President Trump to fix this mess, end our Sanctuary State status, and empower law enforcement to work with ICE,” said Ciattarelli. “Together, we will elevate New Jersey as a beacon for economic opportunity for hardworking, law-abiding citizens, not a lawless sanctuary for illegal immigrants.”
Spadea has not always been as rigidly supportive of deportation policies.
“It is time that we talk about a pathway to citizenship for people who are here, and they are undocumented. There are millions of people here that are hardworking. They want to be here. They want to pay taxes. And I say, let them,” Spadea said on June 19, 2018. “Let’s create an atmosphere that we create prosperity among these hardworking immigrants.”
Another candidate for governor, State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), weighed in on the fight between Spadea and Ciattarelli.
“My opponents in the race for governor are fight back and forth as to who loves Donald Trump the most,” said Bramnick. “The real question is who loves New Jersey the most. Happy to fight for that title.”
RELATED ARTICLES
-
June 19, 2018 -
October 20, 2021 -
June 21, 2021