💲 New Jersey is trying to figure out what to do with migrants arriving from Texas
💲Murphy once called it “manageable”
💲Now Murphy is asking for massive federal funding to deal with migrants staying in NJ
When migrants began arriving in New Jersey on busses from Texas earlier this month, Gov. Phil Murphy called it “a manageable situation.”
At the time, he stressed that most were not staying in New Jersey. Instead, they were taking New Jersey Transit into New York City. That was a good thing, he said, because “that’s where the federal money is.”
In the weeks that have followed Murphy has admitted that “some” of those migrants have been opting to stay in New Jersey.
Migrants walk across the Secaucus NJ Transit station
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Migrants walk across the Secaucus NJ Transit station (Daily Mail)
How many migrants are in NJ?
Murphy won’t say.
It has apparently grown to a number large enough that the administration is trying to figure out what to do with them and how to pay for it.
Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners Director Jeff Kuhl says the state is considering the use of the closed Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital to process migrants.
He did not disclose the source of the information or when the plan would begin at the hospital that was closed in 2012.
The Murphy administration has not confirmed any plans, but a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police told New Jersey 101.5 the facility was identified in the past as a potential housing site should the need arise to shelter a mass group of individuals, not limited to migrants, but also including weather-related events or large-scale emergencies.
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Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, Gov. Phil MurphyHagedorn Psychiatric Hospital (NJ Spotlight News), Gov. Phil Murphy (Rich Hundley III/ NJ Governors Office)
Murphy seeks money for migrants
Gov. Murphy is now asking President Joe Biden’s administration for $1.4 billion in federal funding to deal with an influx of migrants.
Murphy, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and several other Democratic governors are demanding funding and resources to deal with migrants arriving in their states.
In a letter to the Biden administration, Murphy and his colleagues say they “lack the vast coordinated infrastructure needed to respond to the humanitarian and public safety concerns of those seeking lawful entry into the United States.”
Without congressional action and funding, they argue, “States and cities cannot indefinitely respond to the subsequent strain on state and local resources.”
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The flood of migrants into New York City has severely drained resources to the point where Mayor Eric Adams says it will “destroy” his city. He has been demanding more help from Washington for months.
Gov. Phil Murphy, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, migrants arrive at the Secaucus NJ Transit stationGov. Phil Murphy (Governor’s Office), NYC Mayor Eric Adams City of NY), migrants arrive at the Secaucus NJ Transit station (Daily Mail)
A sanctuary state?
Murphy, in the past, has talked about New Jersey being a sanctuary state and has been supportive of both receiving and helping migrants newly arrived to the United State.
More recently, Murphy has waffled when confronted with the enormous costs involved with actually providing such sanctuary.
Last June, the state was planning to ask permission to use millions in pandemic relief money to provide services and create a “migrant task force,” according to a report in Politico.
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That application was never submitted, and there does not appear to be such a task force.
Immigration Border Arrests TexasAP
Murphy also pushed back on a reported plan to use part of Atlantic City International Airport to house an overflow of migrants, calling the plan not feasible.
As busses started arriving from Texas this month, Murphy has also demanded that bus operators give the state at least 32-hours notice before their arrival in New Jersey.
LOOK: This is what you now need to retire comfortably in every U.S. State
Go Banking Rates analyzed financial data to determine how much is necessary to retire across the nation, factoring in groceries, housing, transportation, healthcare costs, and more. Plus, what an additional $1 Million in savings would look like.
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
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These NJ towns have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases
Looking at data compiled by the Department of Health in 2019, the most recent year for which reports are available, we determined the rate of STDs for 1,000 people in every municipality. The data combines reports of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. For a different look, you can check out this article for a list of New Jersey towns that saw the highest increase in STD/STI cases in recent years.
NEW YORK (WABC) — Commuters are being warned to plan ahead Monday as the FIFA World Cup match between Norway and Senegal at MetLife Stadium is expected to create significant travel disruptions during the evening rush hour.
City officials have issued a Gridlock Alert Day for Monday, citing the 8 p.m. kickoff, expected heavy traffic and the potential for severe weather, including strong thunderstorms and heavy rain.
The biggest impact will be felt at Penn Station, where NJ Transit service to New Jersey will be restricted beginning at 3:20 p.m.
From 3:20 p.m. until 7:01 p.m., New Jersey-bound trains departing Penn Station and Secaucus Junction will be reserved exclusively for World Cup ticket holders traveling to MetLife Stadium. Fans must have both a match ticket and an NJ Transit ticket to board.
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That means regular commuters heading home to New Jersey during that time will need to find alternate transportation, including PATH trains, ferries or buses.
Officials are encouraging commuters who normally rely on NJ Transit to leave earlier in the day if possible.
Round-trip NJ Transit tickets to MetLife Stadium are still available for $98. However, all 12,000 seats on shuttle buses departing from Grand Central Terminal, the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Columbus Circle have sold out for Monday’s match.
Street closures around Penn Station will also begin no later than 2 p.m. to accommodate security screening and fan queues. Officials say 33rd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues and 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues will remain closed until after 8 p.m., while 33rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues is expected to reopen after 1 a.m.
The restrictions mirror what travelers experienced during last week’s World Cup match, when thousands of fans packed transit hubs across the region.
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NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri thanked city officials for helping manage crowds around Penn Station.
“I’m so grateful to the City of New York and Mayor Mamdani for setting up a great system outside Penn Station to process the fans from a security standpoint,” Kolluri said.
He also urged commuters to remain patient as the region hosts the international tournament.
“My one ask is that this is a very amazing opportunity for the region and for the state of New Jersey. I know commuters have busy lives and they are trying to earn a living. We’re asking for a little patience,” Kolluri said.
Officials say NJ Transit transported more than 26,000 fans during the June 16 World Cup match, with additional crowds expected for Monday night’s game.
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Drivers are also being warned to expect significant delays near MetLife Stadium, particularly along Route 3.
City officials continue to encourage residents and visitors to walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible.
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Three people were killed when a small plane taking off from New Jersey crashed into a neighborhood in Maryland, according to authorities.
A Piper PA-28 carrying a pilot and two passengers plummeted into a residential area in Bowie around midnight on Sunday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and Maryland State Police.
A Piper PA-28 carrying a pilot and two passengers plummeted into a residential area in Bowie around midnight on Sunday. Channel4
The possible training flight was en route from Ocean City, New Jersey, to Montgomery County Airport in Gaithersburg when the plane suddenly crashed in a wooded area close to homes, Elena Russo, spokesperson for the Maryland State Police, said at a press conference on Sunday.
The pilot and two passengers, who were all adults, were pronounced dead on the scene.
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Emergency responders rushed to search for the plane after receiving an alert of a possible crash nearby, but were unable to reach the wreckage until roughly 3:45 a.m., cops said.
Officials believe the plane belongs to a Montgomery County flight school and was “possibly participating in a training flight.” Channel4
Officials believe the plane belongs to a Montgomery County flight school and was “possibly participating in a training flight,” Russo said.
Photos captured debris from the single-engine plane strewn near a playground in the city, less than 20 miles from Washington, DC.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.
