Democrat New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is set to increase funding for the “Detention Deportation Defense Initiative” in the state by $12 million, thereby bringing the amount of taxpayer dollars dedicated to protecting illegal immigrants from deportation to $20.2 million.

Sherrill posted in celebration of the move on X, saying, “We are increasing funding for the Detention Initiative by $12 million – for a total of $20.2 million. We are also launching a Rapid Legal Response Initiative to expand statewide legal capacity for emergency immigration defense and support immigrant families across New Jersey.”

“These actions will help ensure more people in New Jersey’s communities receive due process under the law and more New Jersey attorneys are mobilized to stand up for the fundamental human rights of detainees and their families,” she added.

The Detention and Deportation Defense Initiative (DDDI) is described on New Jersey’s government website as a program to provide “free and expert legal counsel and representation to income eligible New Jersey residents who are at risk of deportations or are facing deportation/removal proceedings and do not have access to legal counsel.” The program is led in coordination with the state government and Legal Services of New Jersey, American Friends Service Committee, Rutgers Law School, and Seton Hall Law School.

A referral form on the website allows those in the state to identify illegal immigrants who have been detained in order to be deported. The form does not ask about criminal activities or why the individuals were detained by ICE.

The move from Sherrill comes as anti-ICE agitators have been making chaos at the Delaney Hall ICE facility in New Jersey after Democrats have claimed that there are poor living conditions for detainees.

GOP congressman from New Jersey Jeff Van Drew said in a post on X responding to Sherrill, “Families across New Jersey are wondering how they’re going to pay their electric bill this summer. Meanwhile, our Governor is increasing funding to spend $20.2 million to protect illegal immigrants.”

“Start fighting for New Jersey citizens,” he added.

Last week, after reportedly holding police back for multiple days while violence took place at Delaney Hall, she sent state law enforcement to “bring the temperature down.” At the same time, she blamed ICE for the violence that took place.

“This was absolutely necessary to protect public safety, and avoid escalation from ICE,” Sherrill added in her statement.