Migrants Use NJ Suburb as Transit Hub, Switching from Buses to Trains to Thwart NYC Crackdown

Busloads of asylum seekers are circumventing Mayor Eric Adams’ crackdown on arrivals by being dropped off in New Jersey and then taking a train to reach their “final destination” in the Big Apple. This influx of migrants is transforming a family-friendly suburb in the Garden State into a hub for asylum seekers.

The Secaucus Police Department and town officials received notification on Saturday from the Hudson County Executives’ Office that four buses carrying migrants destined for New York had reached the Secaucus Junction train station, as per officials’ report.

Mayor Michael Gonnelli stated that the migrants were dropped off at the train station and subsequently took trains to New York City.

The bus operators appear to have found a strategy to bypass the Executive Order’s requirements by bringing migrants to the train station in Secaucus and allowing them to proceed to their ultimate destination.

According to him, bus operators have found a way to exploit a loophole in the system and bypass a recent order, ensuring that the migrants are able to reach New York City.

Gonnelli added that the requirements set by Mayor Adams may be too strict, leading to unforeseen consequences.

Mayor Eric Adams has recently issued an executive order, which mandates that charter bus companies transporting migrants with fares paid for by a third party must notify the city’s Emergency Management Office at least 32 hours prior to their arrival in New York City.

Drop-off hours are now limited to a single location on West 41st Street between Eight and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. The designated hours for drop-off are from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily.

In a recent virtual press conference, Adams emphasized the importance of not allowing buses with individuals in need of assistance to arrive unannounced at any time of the day or night.

“This not only endangers those who have already suffered so much, but it also hinders us from providing assistance in an orderly manner.”

Ignoring the new rules may lead to criminal charges, fines, lawsuits, and even the impounding of buses, warned Adams.

According to Secaucus Town Administrator Gary Jeffas, two additional buses arrived at the train station on Monday morning and it seems like they boarded trains heading to New York City.

According to City Hall, the new rules were officially implemented on Friday afternoon. Police officers are now monitoring the drop-off area to ensure that no buses arrive outside of the designated time frame.

Companies that do not comply with the executive order will be subject to a class B misdemeanor. This offense carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and a potential jail sentence of up to three months.

Adams emphasized that the objective is not to prevent people from coming, but rather to prioritize the safety of migrants and ensure a well-coordinated arrival process.

Bus operators are reportedly bypassing the new rules and dropping migrants at transit stations throughout the state, enabling them to reach the Big Apple by train.

According to Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s office, New Jersey is mainly being utilized as a transit point for these families who are heading towards New York City.

“We have been monitoring the recent arrival of a few buses carrying migrant families at different NJ TRANSIT train stations,” he stated.

Almost all of them continued their travels en route to their final destination of New York City.

According to Jones, the administration is collaborating with federal and local partners, including New York City.

The mayor of the town mentioned that reports from the New Jersey State Police have also come in, indicating that similar scenes were taking place at other train stations across the state.

Gonnelli stated that he has received information that the State of New Jersey has developed a plan to address the situation. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration between his office, law enforcement agencies, and the County in monitoring the situation.

According to a message shared on Jersey City’s official X account, the emergency management agency has reported that several buses from different locations in Texas, as well as one from Louisiana, have reached various transit stations in the state. These stations include Secaucus, Fanwood, Edison, and Trenton.

According to our JC emergency management, several buses from different locations in Texas and one from Louisiana have already reached transit stations across the state, including Secaucus, Fanwood, Edison, and Trenton.

According to the post, a total of 397 migrants have arrived at those locations since Saturday.

According to recent data from City Hall, the number of asylum seekers who have arrived in the bustling metropolis of New York City since Spring 2022 stands at 161,500.

In response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive, a number of migrants have been transported via buses to New York City. These actions prompted Adams to introduce new guidelines last month, which aimed to restrict the arrival times of migrants in order to prioritize their safety.

As of now, the city’s shelter system is facing a significant influx of asylum seekers, with over 68,000 migrants currently under its care. This situation is expected to incur a cost of more than $12 billion until 2025.

According to a spokesperson from City Hall, the governor of Texas has been accused of treating asylum seekers as “political pawns” and causing coordination issues nationwide.

According to The Post, the spokesperson highlighted how New York City has been at the forefront of addressing the national humanitarian crisis by offering compassion, care, shelter, and essential services.

Executive Order 538 is a crucial step towards prioritizing the safety and welfare of both migrants and the city staff responsible for receiving them.

Chicago’s administration implemented similar guidelines last month, following which Adams has also followed suit. However, both cities are facing challenges with noncompliance.

Last month, authorities in Illinois reported an incident where a group of approximately 30-40 migrants were abruptly left at a gas station parking lot in Kankakee, Illinois. The bus operators had falsely informed them that they had arrived in Chicago.

Kankakee, located approximately 60 miles outside of Chicago, is situated away from the bustling city center.

On December 21, the Kankakee Police Department, Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, and Illinois State Police (Troop 5) swiftly responded to a call regarding “a situation” at the gas station, as stated by the Kanakee County Sheriff’s Office.

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