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Mayor Eric Adamssues NYC Campaign Finance Board over public matching funds denial

New York City Sues Charter Bus Companies Over Migrant Transport Costs

In a bold legal move, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has initiated a lawsuit against 17 charter bus companies accused of participating in a scheme orchestrated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to transport tens of thousands of migrants to the city. The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, seeks to recoup approximately $708 million in costs that the city has incurred for sheltering and providing services to these asylum seekers. This action underscores the escalating tensions between Democratic-led sanctuary cities like New York and Republican governors in border states who have been busing migrants northward as a form of political protest against federal immigration policies.

The complaint, announced on Thursday, names companies such as Buckeye Coach, Capital Touring Company, and others primarily based in Texas and neighboring states. According to city officials, these firms have been contracted by Texas to transport over 33,600 migrants to New York City since the spring of 2022, without any regard for the migrants' welfare or the financial burden placed on receiving cities. The lawsuit alleges that the bus companies violated New York State's social services law, which prohibits bringing needy individuals into the state with the intent of making them public charges. By doing so, the companies are said to have engaged in "bad faith" actions, deliberately offloading the costs of care onto New York taxpayers.

Mayor Adams, a Democrat and former police captain who has frequently criticized the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis, described the lawsuit as a necessary step to hold accountable those profiting from the chaos. "For over a year and a half, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been sending busload after busload of migrants to our city with no care, no coordination, and no accountability—and with the specific intent of overwhelming our city's shelter system," Adams stated in a press release. He emphasized that New York City has managed the arrival of more than 161,000 migrants overall since the crisis began, with over 68,000 currently in the city's care, straining resources to the breaking point. The city has opened more than 210 emergency shelter sites, including large-scale facilities in hotels and tents, and has spent billions on housing, food, medical care, and legal aid.

The legal filing details how the bus companies charged Texas exorbitant fees—up to $1,650 per person for trips from the border to New York—while knowing that the migrants would require immediate assistance upon arrival. This, the suit claims, constitutes a deliberate effort to exploit New York's generous social services laws for political gain. City lawyers argue that the companies should be responsible for the costs of caring for these individuals for as long as they remain in the city's shelter system, potentially extending the financial liability far beyond the initial $708 million sought.

This lawsuit is not isolated; it follows similar actions by other cities. For instance, Chicago has imposed fines on bus companies for unscheduled drop-offs, and Denver has also grappled with the influx. In New York, Adams has implemented executive orders requiring bus operators to provide 32 hours' notice and limit arrivals to specific times and locations, though compliance has been spotty. The mayor has repeatedly called for federal intervention, including more funding and a national strategy to distribute migrants more evenly across the country. "We cannot continue to bear this burden alone," Adams has said, pointing out that the city's shelter system, originally designed for homeless residents, is now overwhelmed, leading to makeshift solutions like converting schools and parks into temporary housing.

Governor Abbott, a vocal critic of President Biden's immigration policies, has defended the busing program as a way to share the border crisis with liberal cities that support sanctuary policies. His office has dismissed the lawsuit as "baseless" and politically motivated, arguing that New York invited the migrants by declaring itself a sanctuary city. "If the mayor wants to sue someone, he should sue the Biden administration for their open-border policies," a spokesperson for Abbott said. Since launching the program in April 2022, Texas has transported over 95,000 migrants to various Democratic strongholds, including New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles, at a cost of more than $148 million to the state.

Legal experts are divided on the lawsuit's prospects. Some believe it could set a precedent for interstate disputes over migration costs, potentially leading to broader federal involvement. Others argue that proving "bad faith" intent might be challenging, especially since the migrants are voluntarily boarding the buses and seeking asylum. The case draws parallels to historical precedents, such as early 20th-century laws aimed at preventing the "dumping" of indigents across state lines, which New York's statute echoes.

Beyond the courtroom, the lawsuit highlights deeper systemic issues in U.S. immigration policy. New York City, with its "right to shelter" mandate stemming from a 1981 consent decree, is legally obligated to provide housing for anyone in need, regardless of immigration status. This has made it a magnet for arrivals, exacerbating budget shortfalls. The city's 2024 fiscal year budget allocates over $4 billion for migrant services, a figure that could rise if inflows continue. Adams has warned of potential service cuts to libraries, police, and sanitation if federal aid doesn't materialize, though recent budget adjustments have mitigated some immediate threats.

Community responses have been mixed. Immigrant advocacy groups applaud the city's efforts to provide aid but criticize the lawsuit for potentially deterring transportation options for vulnerable people. "These migrants are fleeing violence and poverty; they shouldn't be pawns in a political game," said a representative from the New York Immigration Coalition. Conversely, some residents express frustration over the strain on local resources, with protests occurring at shelter sites.

As the case proceeds, it could influence ongoing negotiations in Washington. Senate Republicans and Democrats are debating border security measures tied to foreign aid packages, with migrant busing a flashpoint. Mayor Adams has met with federal officials multiple times, advocating for work authorizations to allow asylum seekers to become self-sufficient faster. Currently, many wait months for processing, remaining dependent on city services.

In summary, this lawsuit represents a multifaceted battle over responsibility, resources, and rhetoric in America's immigration debate. By targeting the bus companies, New York aims to disrupt the logistics of Abbott's strategy while sending a message to other states. Whether it succeeds in court or sparks policy changes remains to be seen, but it undeniably amplifies the human and financial toll of the ongoing crisis. With migrant arrivals showing no signs of abating—over 2,500 per week in New York alone—the stakes are high for cities on the front lines. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full NY Daily News Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mayor-eric-adams-sues-nyc-142900055.html ]