In a recent development regarding the ongoing border crisis, President Biden has called on Republicans in Congress to provide additional funding to address the escalating situation. Reports indicate that December witnessed a record-breaking surge in border crossings, with over 225,000 migrants encountered by authorities – the highest monthly total since the year 2000, as disclosed by Homeland Security officials.
As part of efforts to deal with migrants arriving in various cities, New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued an order requiring bus companies to submit passenger manifests and information about drop-off times and locations within 32 hours prior to arrival. However, it seems that buses are now utilizing transit points in New Jersey to circumvent these new regulations. Migrants have reportedly been taking trains to Penn Station, the busiest train station in the country, to reach their desired destinations in Manhattan.
Reid Gushiora, the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey, shared that four buses carrying 163 asylum seekers arrived at the Trenton Transit Center. While most of them boarded trains bound for New York, 21 migrants remained in Trenton due to the presence of accommodating family members. Gushiora expressed concern over the lack of resources to handle the influx, emphasizing that Trenton, as a small city, cannot adequately absorb the migrants and their humanitarian needs.
Similar challenges are being faced across the country, including in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson pointed out that Governor Abbott of Texas has dispatched over 600 buses to Chicago, exacerbating an already overwhelming situation. Johnson noted that approximately 30,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city, with 15,000 families currently being housed and 4,500 children attending Chicago public schools. However, he stressed that local economies and governments are ill-equipped to handle such a significant influx of migrants, emphasizing the need for federal intervention and congressional action to address the humanitarian crisis.
In addition to the obstacles faced by local authorities, the immigration court backlog has exceeded 3 million cases, far surpassing the capacity of the 600 immigration judges spread across 68 courts nationwide. The backlog means that some cases may not even reach a courtroom for three years, further exacerbating the strain on resources and perseverance needed to address the situation effectively.
Both mayors emphasized the urgent need for Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform policies. They stressed that relying solely on local efforts is unsustainable and that a coordinated and sophisticated response from the federal government is imperative. The hope is that Congress can overcome divisions and swiftly take action to address the ongoing crisis at the border.
