NJ Governor Phil Murphy speaks Tuesday, December 11, 2023, during an announcement in New Brunswick.
© Thomas P. Costello / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Newark, NJ) – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is responding after charter buses carrying migrants have been arriving in his state — with the majority of those migrants then continuing on into New York City via train. Murphy says around 20 buses have arrived so far, carrying close to 1,000 people — and all but a few dozen then went to Manhattan, using NJ Transit.
Tyler Jones, Governor Murphy’s Deputy Press Secretary, provided the following statement to 77 WABC: “Our Administration has tracked the recent arrival of a number of buses of migrant families at various NJ TRANSIT train stations. New Jersey is primarily being used as a transit point for these families — all or nearly all of them continued with their travels en route to their final destination of New York City. We are closely coordinating with our federal and local partners on this matter, including our colleagues across the Hudson.”
Pressed for details on Wednesday during an event discussing the increased minimum wage, Murphy insisted the state has a plan, should more buses continue to arrive in New Jersey. Plainly stated, Murphy said New York City is the plan, in that federal resources have been provided to the city — so that’s where migrants should go. He also described the situation as “manageable.” Both while opening his comments, and later when closing them, Murphy demanded comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. He called it a shame that hasn’t happened already, and called for the US southern border to be secured while maintaining American values, and in consideration of “compassion.” Governor Murphy blasted the arrival of charter buses carrying migrants from Texas as a “political stunt” from that state’s governor — Gregg Abbott.
