New York City has filed a lawsuit against 17 charter bus and transportation companies, seeking to recover the costs associated with caring for over 33,000 migrants who were transported to the city. The lawsuit, announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, alleges that the transportation of migrants without payment for their continued care is a violation of New York’s Social Services Law. The city is seeking to recoup at least $708 million, which is the amount it has spent on emergency shelter and services for migrants in the last 20 months.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has admitted to facilitating the transportation of more than 33,600 migrants to New York City since the spring of 2022. Mayor Adams emphasized that while the city is committed to managing the humanitarian crisis, it cannot bear the costs of reckless political actions from Texas alone. The lawsuit aims to hold the charter bus companies accountable for their role in Governor Abbott’s plan.
Mayor Adams stated that the lawsuit should serve as a warning to those who break the law in this way. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York also expressed support for the lawsuit, criticizing Governor Abbott for using human beings as political pawns. She emphasized that the companies facilitating Abbott’s actions should be responsible for the cost of sheltering the individuals they transport, rather than passing the expense to hard-working New Yorkers.
According to the lawsuit, the 17 defendants knowingly implemented Governor Abbott’s plan without considering the individuals they were transporting or attempting to manage the humanitarian crisis. The mayor described their actions as conduct in bad faith, aimed at shifting the traditional cost of migration at the southern border to New York City and other cities across the country.
The lawsuit is being represented by the New York City Department of Law and the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The city’s Department of Social Services commissioner has the authority to sue for cost recovery under the state’s social services law.
The city’s decision to file the lawsuit followed an executive order by Mayor Adams that required improved coordination from charter bus companies transporting migrants into New York City. The order aimed to ensure the safety and well-being of both the migrants and city staff involved in receiving them. However, officials claim that the bus companies being sued are now evading compliance with the executive order by busing migrants to New Jersey train stations and having them take a train to New York City.
Between April 2022 and December 2023, the city spent an estimated $3.5 billion on shelter and services for over 164,500 individuals who passed through the intake center.
New York City has taken legal action against 17 charter bus and transportation companies, seeking to recover the costs of caring for more than 33,000 migrants. Mayor Eric Adams and Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix announced the lawsuit, alleging a violation of New York’s Social Services Law. The city aims to recoup at least $708 million spent on emergency shelter and services. Governor Greg Abbott of Texas admitted to facilitating the transportation of over 33,600 migrants to New York City since spring 2022. The lawsuit holds charter bus companies accountable and warns against breaking the law. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York supports the lawsuit, criticizing Abbott for using migrants as political pawns. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants knowingly implemented Abbott’s plan without regard for the migrants or managing the crisis. The city’s Department of Law and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP are representing the case, seeking cost recovery under the social services law. The city’s decision followed an executive order for improved coordination from charter bus companies. Some companies are allegedly evading compliance by busing migrants to New Jersey. The city spent $3.5 billion on shelter and services for over 164,500 individuals between April 2022 and December 2023.