Buses transporting migrants have been redirected to train stations in various parts of New Jersey, according to state and local officials, in an apparent effort to bypass New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ executive order restricting migrant arrivals. The exact details of these drop-offs remain unclear, but Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s office confirmed that migrants were taking trains to New York City after arriving at NJ TRANSIT stations.
Leaders in blue states, including New York City, have been grappling with an influx of migrants sent from the southern border. The recent development in New Jersey comes in response to Mayor Adams’ executive order, which imposes limits on the entry of buses carrying migrants into the city and requires advanced notice.
Secaucus and Fanwood officials reported migrants being sent via bus to their local train stations. Trenton’s mayor, Reed Gusciora, stated that NJ Transit officials informed the city of buses arriving at the train station, although it remains unclear if they were carrying migrants.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, a candidate for governor in 2025, expressed concerns in a social media post (now deleted), calling for statewide coordination and guidance from Governor Murphy on the situation.
Mayor Adams’ office, in response to the rerouting of migrants to train stations, claimed this was a workaround to their recent executive order. They accused Texas Governor Greg Abbott of treating asylum seekers as political pawns and criticized his practice of dropping families off in surrounding cities with train tickets to New York City.
This is not the first time New Jersey has been involved in addressing the migrant crisis, with previous reports suggesting a South Jersey airport as a relocation site, a proposal that faced opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. Governor Murphy cited a lack of resources as a reason for not accepting migrants at the airport.
The current situation has prompted local officials to call for state guidance, with reports of buses arriving in other municipalities. The New Jersey State Police and NJ Transit declined to comment on the matter.
As the issue unfolds, immigrant rights groups in the state are urging the New Jersey government to play a more active role in supporting migrants, emphasizing the state’s history of welcoming immigrants in search of a better life. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by localities dealing with the broader national issue of immigration.
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