Four migrant buses arrived at the Secaucus train station on Saturday before the migrants onboard took trains into New York City, according to Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli.
Just last week, New York Mayor Eric Adams announced an executive order requiring buses arrive into NYC only between 8:30 a.m. and noon on weekdays at a single drop-off site, or face fines, lawsuits or buses being impounded.
According to Adams’ office, buses must drop off passengers at the loading zone on West 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan. Charted buses must also provide 32 hours notice before arriving in the city.
In New York, more than 161,000 migrants have arrived and sought city aid since spring 2022.
Gonnelli said in a statement that the bus operators “have figured out a loophole in the system” to get the migrants to New York City.
“It seems quite clear the bus operators are finding a way to thwart the requirements of the Executive Order by dropping migrants at the train station in Secaucus and having them continue to their final destination,” Mayor Gonnelli said.
According to Gonnelli, the New Jersey State Police said a similar situation is occurring at other train stations in the state.
“I have been advised the State of New Jersey has a plan in place and we will be working closely with the Governor’s office, all law enforcement agencies, and the County to monitor this situation,” Gonnelli said.
