NJ Gov. Murphy demands notice from migrant bus companies

(The Center Square) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy demands that bus companies dropping off migrants in his state en route to New York City provide his administration with advance notice of their arrivals.

In an open letter to nearly two dozen charter companies, Murphy said more than 1,800 migrants from Texas and Louisiana were dropped off in New Jersey on their way to the Big Apple last week without notice to state or local officials ... "all at the apparent instigation of the Governor of Texas who is reportedly funding the passengers' transportation with state taxpayer funds."

"Notice to New Jersey officials in advance of these individuals' anticipated arrival is critical to ensuring the health and safety of passengers once they arrive in New Jersey," Murphy wrote.

He said the information should also be shared with New York City officials "to ensure passengers' health and safety upon arrival in New York City."

Murphy specifically asks for the number of passengers arriving on each charter bus, including details about how many are adults or children and whether there are any unaccompanied minors. He also requests details about the drivers, the bus's license plate number and other identification. All of the bus companies are based in Texas, Louisiana and Ohio.

Bus companies have been dropping migrants off in New Jersey to avoid a city executive order signed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams requiring them to provide at least 32 hours' notice before they arrive.

Adams filed a lawsuit against the bus companies, accusing them of violating a 19th-century law that requires anyone who transports a "needy person" to New York to cover their housing and other expenses.

New York City has seen an influx of more than 130,000 migrants over the past year amid a surge of immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border, with about 60,000 migrants under the city's care. Adams has proposed budget cuts to cover those costs, estimated at more than $4 billion over the next few years.

Abbott and other Republican leaders in border states have been critical of the Biden administration’s response to the surge. They’ve been busing groups of migrants to Democratic strongholds in New York, Chicago and other destinations with "sanctuary" policies.

Over the weekend, Abbott pushed back against the criticism over the migrant busing, calling the NYC lawsuit frivolous.

"They have the legal right to travel wherever they want in the United States and the lawsuit by the mayor violates the United States Constitution in several respects, and the mayor is going to lose and lose badly," Abbott told Fox News on Sunday.