The city of New York has announced that it is suing 17 bus companies for their role in transporting tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to the city over the past year and a half. The lawsuit, filed by Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, alleges that the bus companies have participated in Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s scheme to send illegal immigrants to cities across the United States. The city is seeking $708 million in compensation to cover the costs of housing and feeding these individuals.
Mayor Adams stated that while New York City will always do its part to manage the humanitarian crisis, it cannot bear the costs of reckless political ploys from the state of Texas alone. The city aims to hold the bus companies accountable for violating state law by not paying for the costs associated with caring for the migrants they transported. The lawsuit names 17 transportation companies, including Buckeye Coach, Carduan Tours, Classic Elegance Coaches, and Windstar Lines, among others.
The lawsuit alleges that the bus companies acted in bad faith or with evil intent, as they received significantly more money for transporting the illegal immigrants than the cost of a one-way ticket from Texas to New York. Public reporting based on data obtained under the Texas Public Information Act indicates that the defendants received around $1,650 per person on chartered buses, compared to just $291 for a single one-way ticket.
The buses transporting illegal immigrants from Texas to New York City began in August of 2022, after Mayor Adams proclaimed the city as a sanctuary city. Texas Governor Abbott, in an op-ed for the New York Post, accused Adams of merely talking the talk of being a sanctuary city but failing to fulfill the policies when pressed to do so.
This lawsuit represents Mayor Adams’ latest attempt to seek additional help for the city as it struggles to handle the influx of illegal immigrants. In an executive order issued at the end of last month, Adams sought to curb the busloads of migrants entering the city by imposing limitations on when they can arrive and requiring bus drivers to provide a 32-hour notice of their arrival if they know they are transporting illegal immigrants. However, bus drivers have reportedly found a way to work around this executive order by dropping migrants off at train stations in New Jersey, who then board trains heading into New York City.
Mayor Adams has repeatedly requested federal assistance from the Biden administration to deal with the increasing number of illegal immigrants entering the city. However, little response has been received thus far. Since 2022, over 130,000 illegal immigrants have made their way to New York City, with projections indicating that the influx will cost the city $12 billion through fiscal year 2025.
The lawsuit filed by New York City against the bus companies represents a significant step towards holding those involved accountable for their actions. By seeking $708 million in compensation, the city aims to recoup the costs it has incurred in caring for the migrants sent by Texas. The outcome of the lawsuit will have far-reaching implications not only for New York City but also for the broader debate on immigration and the responsibilities of transportation companies.
The lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by cities dealing with the ongoing border crisis and the strain it places on social services and resources. Mayor Adams’ efforts to address the issue through executive orders and legal action demonstrate the city’s determination to find solutions and alleviate the burden on its residents.
As the lawsuit progresses, it remains to be seen how the court will interpret the allegations against the bus companies and determine the appropriate compensation. In the meantime, New York City continues to grapple with the influx of illegal immigrants and the associated costs. The outcome of this lawsuit could potentially set a precedent for similar cases in other cities across the United States.
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