NEW YORK (1010 WINS/ WCBS 880 NEWS) – Mayor Eric Adams announced an executive order on Wednesday aimed at regulating charter buses responsible for transporting migrants, particularly those often sent by the State of Texas.
The order requires that these charter bus operators provide a 32-hour advance notice of their intended arrival in New York City.
"We cannot allow buses with people needing our help to arrive without warning at any hour of day and night," Adams said at a news conference on Wednesday. "This not only prevents us from providing assistance in an orderly way, it puts those who have already suffered so much in danger. To be clear, this is not stopping people from coming. But about ensuring the safety of migrants and making sure they can arrive in a coordinated and orderly way."
Adams explained that to ensure adequate staffing and streamline the process, the order restricts charter buses to operate Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Furthermore, these buses are required to drop off passengers at a designated location unless otherwise instructed by New York City Emergency Management.
Non-compliance may lead to Class B misdemeanor charges, potential fines, legal actions, and even bus impoundment.
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas had previously promised to send an additional 25,000 migrants to New York City alone.
A flight chartered by Texas was rerouted to Philadelphia due to foggy conditions on Tuesday. As a result, migrants from the diverted flight were transported on buses, arriving in the city around 1 a.m.
Last week, the city had 14 buses arrive in a single day, marking the highest number ever recorded by officials at the intake center, according to the mayor's office.
"New York City is a city built by immigrants, Adams said. "We will work together to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever before, but this is a national problem."
Adams' executive order is similar to measures taken in other cities like Chicago and Denver, addressing the challenges faced by U.S. cities in managing the increasing number of migrants sent from Texas and other states.
Abbott's busing operation has transported over 80,000 migrants to Democratic-led cities since last year.
Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom noted that since last spring, approximately 161,000 migrants have sought care from the city, with 68,000 currently under the city's care.
