Buses from Texas and Louisiana have recently been dropping off asylum applicants at multiple NJ Transit stations in New Jersey.
This action appears to be intended to circumvent the new restrictions imposed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams on when migrants can arrive at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
According to a social media post from Jersey City, around 10 buses from Texas and one from Louisiana, carrying approximately 397 migrants, arrived at terminals in Secaucus, Fanwood, Edison, and Trenton over the last two days. Four of these busses dropped off asylum seekers at Secaucus Junction.
Michael Gonnelli, the mayor of Secaucus, said “It seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the executive order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination.” After being dropped off, the asylum seekers are reported to have taken NJ Transit to New York City.
As more buses arrive, the city of Jersey is now awaiting direction from the Governor on future moves. But why are these precautionary precautions being taken?
According to Mayor Adams’ executive order, busses can only arrive on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and noon if they provide the city with a 32-hour notice. Failure to obey the order might result in a class B misdemeanor, penalties, litigation, and potentially bus impoundment. However, no law enforcement action has been taken by Port Authority police thus far.
This executive measure was considered necessary when four buses came without prior notification Wednesday night. Mayor Adams said last week that 14 buses arrived in the middle of the night.