Manhattan Mayor Restricts Migrant Drop-Offs In Town

MANHATTAN, IL — The day after a bus carrying Texas migrants attempted to drop passengers at Manhattan's Metra station, Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen signed an executive order and declaration of emergency aimed at preventing future instances.

Adrieansen on Friday signed the order imposing restrictions, fines and other punishment for buses dropping off migrants illegally.

"Our goal is to protect our residents' health and safety, and also those who are on these buses," said Mayor Mike Adrieansen. "The Village is not able to provide adequate care for these migrants. We are working with state, county and other regional officials to continue to address these concerns."

Similar to measures passed this week by the mayors of Tinley Park and New Lenox, Manhattan will require operators of any intercity buses seeking to make unscheduled stops in Manhattan to apply for permission to do so, a minimum of five days ahead of time. The drivers will also be required to conduct background checks on all passengers over the age of 18, and also provide those to police when asked.

Each application for the drop-offs must also include an order authorizing the transfer of passengers signed by the head of the public body associated with it. Applications for unscheduled stops must be approved by Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold, and will be set for a specific date, place and location.

Drivers may only arrive no sooner than 30 minutes before, and no later than 30 minutes after the designated times. Any driver attempting to unload passengers outside that designated window will be fined $750 per passenger, the ordinance states.

The order also specifies that the drivers may only make unscheduled stops between 10 a.m and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and not at all on Saturdays, Sundays or Village holidays. The drivers must also carry a digital or physical copy of their approved application.

"At the Jan. 3 Village Board Meeting, the Board will consider an ordinance that will formally enact regulations and penalties for these unscheduled intercity buses that have created this problem for all of us," the Mayor said.