Governor Phil Murphy marked Independence Day Thursday by signing an executive order that will establish an Office of New Americans, which aims to advance immigrant and refugee integration initiatives, his office announced.

In addition, the governor's office also announced that the Murphy administration has submitted its intent to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement to regain the state's role in overseeing New Jersey's resettlement program. In 2016, Governor Chris Christie ceded the state's role to the federal government, and since then, the International Rescue Committee, or IRC, has been running the refugee resettlement program in the state.

“While the federal government takes action that prevents immigrants from seeking the American Dream, New Jersey will fight for our brothers and sisters and stand against the hatred and bigotry coming from Washington,” Murphy said in a statement. “Immigrants are an integral part of our state, and enrich our communities socially, culturally, and economically. Through these new measures, we will continue to sustain our progress to build a fair and inclusive state for all.”

Murphy's executive action is in line with several moves his administration has taken to fight President Donald Trump's harsher immigration policies. Since Murphy, a Democrat, was sworn into office last year, the state has joined several multi-state legal actions opposing the Trump administration policies, several of them centered on immigration.

And earlier this year, the New Jersey Immigrant Trust Directive went into effect, that restricts local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration operations.

Supporters of Trump and his immigration policies, which were the centerpiece of his campaign, say that the federal government should not reward people who have been living in the country illegally, many who crossed the border without inspection. They say Trump is just trying to prioritize Americans and protect American workers.

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The governor's office said the New Jersey Department of Human Services has been working collaboratively with the federal government and the IRC to return the primary functions of the refugee resettlement program to the state by September 2020.

The Refugee Resettlement Program provides newly arrived refugees short-term cash assistance, medical coordination, case management, and employment services among other social services.

The Office of New Americans, the first statewide office to focus on immigrant and refugee integration, will focus on ensuring access to social services and inclusion in New Jersey's economy, the governor's office stated.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development must submit plans for the program by Dec. 4, 2019. An interagency workgroup, consisting of representatives of several departments, will join together to develop coordinate and implement best practices for immigrant and refugee integration and inclusion across the administration and its programs, the governor's office said.

The new measures were announced at the USS New Jersey Naturalization Ceremony on the Battleship in Camden where 40 immigrants became new citizens. Candidates came from 23 countries, which included the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Iran, India, and Mexico.

“On a day when families across our state come together to celebrate our country’s independence, I’m honored to have the opportunity to celebrate this 4th of July with those joining our American family as new citizens,” said Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson. “New Jersey is and always will be a welcoming state – no matter the rhetoric or attempts to divide us coming from Washington."

Johanna Calle, executive director for the New Jersey Alliance of Immigrant Justice, commended the governor's initiative.

“As one of the most diverse states in the nation with the third highest percentage of immigrant residents, New Jersey putting into practice welcoming all who call New Jersey home will make this state more successful,'' she said in a statement.

The governor's office statement did not say how much money the new initiatives will cost.

alvarado@northjersey.com