article

(Photo by Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News via Getty Images)

The New York Supreme Court ruled that New York City could not prevent buses bring migrants from Texas.

In a ruling filed Thursday, New York Supreme Court Justice Mary Rosado ruled that the state’s “anti-poor” laws were unconstitutional.

The statue titled “Penalty for Bringing a Needy Person into the State” was adopted after the War of 1812 and makes it a misdemeanor to bring someone into the State “for the purpose of a public office”.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott began busing migrants from the South Texas border in 2022 in response to President Joe Biden’s border policies.

Abbott, on social media platform X, said busing migrants was “making immigration a national issue.”

New York City’s lawsuit estimated that the city spent $708,000,000 to care for approximately 33,600 migrants who were bused to the city from Texas.

In total, at least 46,000 were sent to New York, 19,000 to Denver, 37,000 to Chicago and more than 17,000 to other cities, according to Abbott’s office.

Rosado said in his filing that the court was aware of the money the city spent to provide shelter and services.

“The city’s budget, services, housing availability and affordability have undoubtedly been tested in part to ensure that its obligations under the recognized right to housing are not violated,” said Rosado.

Rosado added that the court was not the place to make policy and that the issue was a constitutional one, not a judicial one.

“Instead of seeking a resolution in Congress, the Commissioner is asking this Court to enforce an outdated and unconstitutional law that infringes on an individual’s right to enter New York State based on their economic circumstances.” , Rosado said.

New York City recently announced it would end a pilot program that offered prepaid debit cards to migrant families.