New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, has announced a lawsuit against 17 bus companies for allegedly violating state law by transporting over 33,000 migrants from Texas to New York City. The lawsuit seeks a staggering $708 million in damages, which the city claims is the cost of caring for and sheltering the migrants. This legal action comes as part of a growing feud between Mayor Adams and Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, who is accused of orchestrating a campaign to expel unauthorized border crossers.

The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court, argues that the transportation of migrants with the intention of shifting the financial burden onto New York City is a violation of state law. Mayor Adams, a Democrat, released a minute-long video alongside the lawsuit, emphasizing that the city cannot bear the costs of Texas's political ploys alone. The arrival of over 160,000 migrants in New York City has been a significant challenge for Mayor Adams, with the cost of sheltering them estimated at $12 billion over three years.

The lawsuit targets transportation companies such as Buckeye Coach LLC, based in Ohio, and Classic Elegance Coaches, based in El Paso, Texas. While the owner of Buckeye Coach LLC had no immediate comment, a person answering the phone at Classic Elegance Coaches directed a reporter to the state of Texas. Governor Abbott's spokesman, a Republican, did not provide an immediate comment on the lawsuit.

Mayor Adams has taken a more aggressive legal approach to address the migrant crisis in recent weeks. Last week, he announced the city's first controls on how charter buses can transport migrants, limiting the hours and locations for drop-offs. This has resulted in buses making unpredictable drop-offs in New Jersey, which Adams's administration cites as evidence of the bus companies' bad faith.

New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, has expressed her support for the lawsuit, as her state's budget has also been strained by the cost of sheltering migrants. In a statement, Governor Hochul criticized Governor Abbott for using human beings as political pawns and called on the companies facilitating his actions to take responsibility for their role in the ongoing crisis.

The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the feud between Mayor Adams and Governor Abbott, highlighting the consequences of their differing approaches to immigration. While Mayor Adams seeks financial compensation for the costs imposed on New York City, Governor Abbott continues his efforts to expel unauthorized border crossers. The outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching implications for both New York City and the ongoing immigration crisis.