In a bold move, Edison, New Jersey Mayor Sam Joshi (D) turned away a bus full of migrants sent to the city on Monday.
Speaking to New York ABC affiliate WABC, Joshi explained that his decision was based on concerns about safety and security. “Our local police did not know if any of those 40 individuals were carrying weapons, they couldn’t be identified. And that is a major problem,” Joshi stated. “It’s a major security risk. It’s a health risk. And we’re just not going to tolerate that.”
This is not the first time the city of Edison has been faced with the issue of migrants arriving in their town. But Joshi has taken a different approach than other mayors, refusing to simply pass on the responsibility to another city. “The solution for me, as the Mayor of Edison, is not to pawn it off to another mayor,” Joshi said in the interview.
The town of Edison has now implemented a new plan: charter buses to send these migrants back to the southern border. This plan was put into action as soon as the bus in question arrived in the city. WABC’s New Jersey Reporter Toni Yates confirmed that the bus was ordered to leave.
Joshi’s concerns about safety and security are not unfounded. Throughout the summer, there have been multiple reports of migrants arriving in Edison, causing potential problems for the town and its residents. And while other mayors may claim that “help and order” are key, Joshi believes that sending migrants back to the border is the best solution for his city.
His reasoning is simple: the safety and well-being of his residents is his top priority. “The town of Edison cannot take on the burden of these migrants without knowing who they are,” Joshi declared. “Our police force cannot risk the safety of our community. And we also have to consider the potential health risks that come with such a large influx of people without proper identification or screening.”
Joshi’s decision is not without its critics. Some argue that turning away these migrants goes against humanitarian values and the founding principles of the United States. But Joshi stands by his actions, stating that while he sympathizes with the situation these migrants are in, he cannot compromise the safety of his city and its residents.
He also acknowledges the bigger issue at hand – the broken immigration system. In the interview with WABC, Joshi stated that the federal government needs to take action to address the root cause of this issue and provide a better solution for handling the influx of migrants at the border.
But until that happens, Joshi is steadfast in his decision to send these migrants back to the border. And he hopes that other mayors will follow suit and not simply pass on the burden to other cities.
In the meantime, the town of Edison will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. And while opinions may differ on the course of action taken by Mayor Joshi, one thing is certain – he is determined to protect his city and its people above all else.
