Following Chicago’s lead, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order last month regulating the arrival of buses transporting illegal immigrants to the Big Apple.
“We cannot allow buses with people needing our help to arrive without warning at any hour of day and night,” Adams said. “This not only prevents us from providing assistance in an orderly way, it puts those who have already suffered in so much in danger.”
Adams called on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to end the practice, but the Texas Republican has seemed unfazed by criticism from sanctuary cities.
The bus operators have not taken Adams’ executive order too seriously, either, with videos showing drop-offs occurring in the middle of the night, while others have taken the illegal immigrants to New Jersey, where they then hop on a train into the city.
Adams is now suing 17 Texas bus companies in retaliation, hoping to put an end to Abbott’s efforts.
“New York City has and will always do our part to manage this humanitarian crisis, but we cannot bear the costs of reckless political ploys from the state of Texas alone,” Adams said. “Texas Governor Abbott’s continued use of migrants as political pawns is not only chaotic and inhumane but makes clear he puts politics over people.”
Adams argued the companies have violated the law by not paying for the migrants.
“And that’s why we’re suing to recoup approximately $700 million already spent to care for migrants bused here in the last two years by the state of Texas,” he said in a video announcement.
Critics say his efforts are misdirected, as the Biden administration bears responsibility for allowing the migrants into the country in the first place and is currently suing Texas over its new law making illegal entry a state crime.
Instead of suing the Federal government for dereliction of duty at the border, the Democrat Mayor of New York tries to divert the border crisis responsibility from the Democrats in charge to ... [checks notes] ... bus drivers for ... [checks notes] ... driving buses. https://t.co/hf4ov6L9G8
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) January 4, 2024
Suing the bus companies. Brilliant.
— Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@VickieforNYC) January 4, 2024
How about suing the federal government and DHS for flatly refusing to close our border?
This is a crisis created by a baffling, suicidal open border policy that the Biden administration continues despite literally bankrupting our cities and… https://t.co/3AwHHghnyu
This is obviously a completely frivolous lawsuit that will just cost NYC more money in legal fees. Bus companies are doing nothing wrong.
— AG (@AGHamilton29) January 4, 2024
Adams should be taking up his concerns with the Biden admin and Congress for their refusal to address the crisis. https://t.co/30O84DQMsw
The mayor’s latest move earned the support of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“It’s about time that the companies facilitating his actions take responsibility for their role in this ongoing crisis,” Hochul said.