At least 140 undocumented migrants arrived in New York City in the largest single-day arrival of migrants being bused from Texas by Governor Greg Abbott, officials said.
Three buses coming from Texas arrived at New York City’s Port Authority bus terminal at around 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs spokesperson, Shaina Coronel.
The group of migrants included families and individuals, reported CNN. Officials estimate that there were around 10 minors as well, including a 10-month-old baby.
City officials and volunteers provided the migrants with food, water, and clothing. Bilingual lawyers were also present to help answer any questions about asylum seekers.
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has been sending buses full of migrants to Washington D.C. and New York City in an effort to push back against the nation’s immigration policies.
The first bus he sent to New York arrived on August 5 with 50 migrants coming from Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Venezuela.
"Texas has also bused over 7,000 migrants to our nation's capital since April and over 900 migrants to New York City since August 5," Abbott's office said in a release Friday. "The busing mission is providing much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border communities."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has criticized Abbott's plan to send bus migrants to other cities, claiming that Texas is forcing the migrants onto buses and is not coordinating their arrival with NYC city officials.
Last week, New York officials announced an effort to allow the migrant children to join the city’s schools before the school year starts next month.
"Our public schools are prepared to welcome families seeking asylum with open arms," Department of Education Chancellor David Banks said Friday. "Our schools are ready and excited to welcome our newest New Yorkers to class on September 8th.”
