Mayors Report Migrant Bus Arrivals
The mayors of Secaucus and Fanwood, New Jersey, have raised concerns about the recent arrivals of migrant buses at train stations in their communities. The issue has sparked a heated debate about the handling of migrants in the state.
Uncertainty Surrounding Arrivals
While NJ Transit officials confirmed the presence of buses at Trenton’s train station, it remains unclear whether the individuals on board are migrants. Trenton’s mayor, Reed Gusciora, expressed uncertainty about the situation, stating that further clarification is needed.
Statewide Conversation
In a now-deleted social media post, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who is running for governor, stressed the importance of a statewide conversation on the matter. He called for guidance from the Governor on the next steps to take as buses continue to arrive.
Secaucus Mayor Accuses Bypassing of Executive Order
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli accused the migrant buses of exploiting a “loophole” to bypass New York City’s executive order. According to Gonnelli, the buses arrived at Secaucus Junction’s train station, allowing migrants to continue their journey to New York City. He claimed that this tactic undermines the recently signed executive order by Mayor Eric Adams of New York.
Concerns over Executive Order Requirements
Gonnelli raised questions about the stringent requirements of the executive order and its unintended consequences. He argued that bus operators are finding a way to evade the order by dropping off migrants at train stations, which are not subject to the same regulations. State police have reported similar incidents occurring at train stations throughout the state.
Promises of Collaboration and Monitoring
Mayor Gonnelli pledged to collaborate with state and county officials to address the situation effectively. He assured the public that the matter would be closely monitored to prevent further exploitation of the perceived loophole.
Arrivals in Various Locations
According to a social media post from Jersey City’s emergency management agency, approximately 397 migrants arrived in various transit stations in New Jersey since Saturday. The post mentioned that the buses originated from different locations in Texas and one from Louisiana.
Executive Order Requirements
Mayor Eric Adams of New York issued an executive order on December 27, mandating charter bus operators to provide advanced notification and passenger manifests to the city’s Commissioner of Emergency Management. The order also restricts drop-off times to specific hours and limits the locations where buses can drop off migrants.
New York City’s Response to the Crisis
New York City’s City Hall spokesperson emphasized the city’s efforts in responding to the national humanitarian crisis. They criticized Republicans for allegedly using asylum seekers as political pawns and highlighted the city’s provision of compassion, care, shelter, and vital services to over 161,000 migrants since spring 2022. The spokesperson also mentioned incidents where families were dropped off in surrounding areas during nighttime with train tickets to travel to New York City, similar to what happened in Chicago.
Pleas for Federal Help
Mayor Eric Adams, along with mayors from Chicago and Denver, renewed their pleas for increased federal assistance and coordination with Texas regarding the growing number of asylum-seekers arriving in their cities by bus and plane.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.