Clarkstown Issues Order Forbidding Buses From Dropping Off Migrants

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann issued a town wide emergency executive order Friday about buses with migrants coming from Texas to New York.

In his announcement about the emergency order, Hoehmann echoed a national frustration."Local governments and first responders have not been given time to prepare nor have the resources to respond to the overwhelming needs of hundreds or thousands of unannounced migrants," he said.

It's a ripple effect of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' executive order issued Wednesday, which sets limits on how and when charter bus companies drop off migrants in the city.

Adams said Wednesday the new rules were necessary in part because 14 "rogue buses" from Texas arrived in a single night last week after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promised to send tens of thousands of more migrants to NYC.

Adams announced the limits during a joint news conference with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, both of whom have also been on the receiving end of buses full of migrants.

"Rogue buses arriving not just in the City of Chicago but surrounding communities as well," Johnson said at the news conference. "Some neighborhoods as far reaching as an hour and a half outside of the City of Chicago. Buses sent by the governor of Texas literally dropping families off in the middle of nowhere."

Hoehmann said "in order to prevent rerouted buses from overwhelming Clarkstown," the new emergency order forbids charter bus companies and any chartered vehicle from making unannounced migrant drop-offs at any location within the town. Penalties are $750 per person illegally dropped off, plus impoundment of vehicle with related costs and fines.

The timing of Adam’s order could not have been worse for NYC suburbs, he said, given that a massive caravan of migrants is headed to the US/Mexican border.

The emergency order will be effective initially for 30 days with the plan for formal town board legislative action to make the order permanent in the New Year.

"Supervisor Hoehmann using his emergency executive authority has issued this order for the safety and welfare of all residents of Clarkstown," Town Attorney Kevin Conway said in the announcement. "Charter bus companies or any entity found violating this order will be subject to immediate penalties and enforcement."

This action follows Hoehmann’s code enforcement actions to prevent illegal housing conversions and rentals to migrants as well as preventing NYC from housing migrants in Clarkstown hotels.

"We do not have the resources nor the ability to process even a single busload of unannounced migrants," Hoehmann said. "My emergency executive order takes effect immediately. The town will vigorously enforce this order. All charter bus companies are on notice — you cannot reroute unannounced migrant buses within Clarkstown’s borders. I will continue to ensure a whole-of-government approach to protect our communities in Clarktown. I urge all residents, if you see something, say something. You are our eyes and ears on the ground. If you see suspicious buses or vehicles, call the town immediately."

As before, Hoehmann singled out NYC's mayor, saying "Clarkstown will not allow Mayor Eric Adams to potentially reroute countless numbers of migrant buses to our communities."

At a news conference in September, Hoehmann, with Rockland County Executive Ed Day and U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, accused Adams of organizing a "pipeline" of illegal immigrants into the county, though admitting they had no evidence.

SEE:

• Clarkstown Accuses Property Owner Of Running 'Migrant Flophouse'
• Clarkstown's 'Migrant Flophouse' On The Market For $575,000

Concern in Rockland County over the influx of migrants reached a high pitch this year. Officials said it would exacerbate the affordable housing crisis and strain local food pantries. They also went to court to stop New York City from temporarily housing 340 asylum-seekers in Orangetown, saying the men would be a danger to the two colleges, senior citizens' residential facility and high school nearby. A judge agreed.

More than 30 counties and towns north of New York City issued their own emergency orders barring New York City from housing migrants after Rockland and Orange counties did.

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