The whole problem with counting only the bodies occupying real estate rather than the kind of people who are in that place is that illegals are a net drain on resources.
Government needs working citizens in order to keep functioning. Citizens pay taxes and other fees, as well as provide the workforce for the government. For government to adopt policies that encourages increasing numbers of illegals to come in and drain its resources (which are really citizens' resources) is self-destructive.
That real estate would be better off sitting empty than being filled with illegals.
I absolutely agree with you; even worse, NJ has to reach out to other sources to provide for these illegals. It is the government workers (including politicians) that refuse to accept downsizing (since they have unmarketable skills to do anything else, and are our upper middle class in NJ today). Basically “sanctuaries” have made a deal with the Devil where they will accept food stamps, Section 8 vouchers, and federal aid for school lunches etc. as their new “economy” (viewing it as better than managing barren wastelands).
Da Gub'mint no dat.