Gov. Murphy dares ICE to raid his NJ compound where non-citizen is living

❗ Gov. Murphy says an immigrant is living at his mansion

❗ Murphy dares immigration agents to come get her

❗ Urges people to fight back against anti-immigrant policies

UPDATE: Murphy’s office backtracks on daring ICE to raid his NJ mansion

Gov. Phil Murphy has dared ICE to raid his multi-million-dollar property, giving the impression that he may be harboring someone who is in the country illegally.

Murphy made the startling admission during an event held by the group “Blue Wave New Jersey” and hosted by Montclair State University on Saturday.

During a broader discussion on issues ranging from illegal immigration to anti-trans policies of the new Trump administration, Murphy dared immigration agents to act.

Murphy said he didn’t want to get into specifics, but someone from their “broader universe” has an immigration status that is “not at the point where they are trying to get it to.”

After discussing it with his wife, Murphy said they decided to let her live above their garage.

Murphy did not reveal the legal status of the person living on his property. Not everyone who is not a citizen or a legal resident (green card holder) is unauthorized to be in the country. ICE can still detain people who might have temporary immigration status.

Murphy then added, “Good luck to the feds coming in to try and get her.”

After New Jersey 101.5 first published this report, NJ.com cited an anonymous source close to the governor who said the person in Murphy's "circle of friends" had "legal status" and that she did not live at his house, but that he would have provided her a place to stay.

Immigration fight intensifies

The statement comes as immigration agents have conducted multiple actions in New Jersey to arrest individuals who are in the United States illegally.

Murphy has banned state and local law enforcement agencies from cooperating with ICE agents.

President Donald Trump has taken aim at self-described sanctuary cities and states that offer protections to undocumented immigrants.

A recent Justice Department memo ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.

The memo warns that government officials could face criminal charges if they do not cooperate with immigration enforcement actions.

Written by Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, prosecutors with the Justice Department’s civil division have been ordered told to identify state and local laws and policies that “threaten to impede” the Trump administration’s immigration efforts and potentially challenge them in court.

Is Murphy breaking the law?

Trump said his crackdown would target criminal offenders but ICE has acknowledged that the raids could nab "collateral arrests," including migrants who do have legal albeit temporary status to be in the country. It was not clear from Murphy's comments whether the resident on his property would fall into this category, although a source close to him later claimed to NJ.com that his friend was here legally and was not living on his property.

Knowingly harboring an unauthorized immigrant is a criminal offense.

The exact definition of "harboring" has been the subject of multiple legal challenges in recent years.

READ MORE: Murphy and others could face charges for blocking Trump's Immigration policies 

Under Title 8 and The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), it is illegal to harbor unauthorized immigrants.

Harboring includes providing shelter, food, or other assistance.

The penalties for doing so can range from a fine to up to five years in prison.