Watson Coleman Calls For ‘Compassionate Response’ To NJ Migrant Busing

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, calling for a “compassionate response” to migrants being bused into New Jersey from Texas.

In her letter, Watson Coleman committed to working together with local and federal authorities to help with the ongoing issue.

Busloads of migrants recently arrived at several New Jersey train stations, in a bid to sidestep New York City’s recent order to limit arrivals.

She called on Murphy and local officials to treat migrants who arrived in New Jersey with dignity and respect.

Watson Coleman criticized Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott for the “shameful, inhumane series of political stunts” saying the drop off in New Jersey was the latest "despicable conduct.”

“We know that Governor Abbott will not stop his political stunt, and so we want to coordinate closely between all federal, state, and local partners to navigate this situation,” the letter states. “Our priority is to ensure humanitarian needs are taken care of and our state and local officials have the proper resources at their disposal as more migrants arrive.”

The letter is the first step in establishing an effective and humane response to the issue. NJ Reps. Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne, Jr. and Robert J. Menendez also signed on to the letter.

“As members of the New Jersey Delegation in Congress, we want to ensure close coordination between all federal, state, and local partners to navigate this situation. Our priority is to ensure humanitarian needs are taken care of and our state and local officials have the proper resources at their disposal as more migrants arrive. We are ready to work with you to address the humanitarian crisis,” the letter states.

The letter also requests information, including whether or not the Governor’s office was informed ahead of time of this stunt by Governor Abbott, an update on any coordination with New York officials or the Biden Administration, and what resources are currently available to support the migrants who have arrived.

Migrant buses arrived at various transit points in New Jersey including Edison, Secaucus, Trenton and Fanwood.

In Edison, Mayor Sam Joshi said a migrant bus was sent back, unsure whether it continued on to NYC to back to the U.S.-Mexico border. He said the township did not have the social or financial resources to help undocumented immigrants.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said 21 migrants stayed back in the area. He urged Congress to go back to work and solve the crisis or provide towns with resources to “take care of humanitarian needs.”

The full letter can be read here.

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