In a bold move to counter Texas Governor Greg Abbott's controversial decision to transport migrants to New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has filed a lawsuit against 17 charter bus companies. The city is seeking reimbursement of at least $708 million, representing the costs incurred by New York City in providing shelter and services to the asylum seekers.

The lawsuit alleges that Governor Abbott's policy of transporting over 33,000 migrants to New York City since the spring of 2022, without compelling the bus companies to cover the expenses of their continued care, violates New York's Social Services Law. The Adams administration argues that the law holds responsible any individual or entity that brings a needy person from out of state to New York for the purpose of burdening the city's resources.

Mayor Adams stated, "New York City has always been committed to managing this humanitarian crisis, but we cannot shoulder the financial burdens of reckless political maneuvers from the state of Texas alone. Today's lawsuit sends a message to those who break the law in this manner."

Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned Governor Abbott's actions, accusing him of using human beings as political pawns. She emphasized that the bus companies facilitating these transfers should take responsibility for their involvement in the ongoing crisis. Hochul argued that if these companies are profiting from transporting individuals in need of public assistance into New York, they should also bear the costs of sheltering those individuals instead of passing the burden onto hard-working New Yorkers.

City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg echoed these sentiments, highlighting that New York's social service law specifically prohibits the actions of the bus companies. Zornberg stated that the companies are participating in a "bad faith" plan orchestrated by Texas to shift the financial responsibility of caring for needy individuals onto New York City and overwhelm their social services system. She affirmed that the law is explicit: By partaking in this scheme, the bus companies assume accountability for the associated costs.

As the legal battle unfolds, many are closely watching the outcome of the lawsuit, which could have far-reaching implications for the transportation industry's involvement in the migration crisis.