Toms River Resident Upset After ‘Busloads of Migrants at Route 37 Motel’

TOMS RIVER, NJ – A small group of residents angry with Mayor Dan Rodrick posted a photo of two buses at a local motel claiming illegal immigrants are being dropped off in Toms River on Facebook.

That false post, intended to cause dissent in the community, led to a woman screaming at the town hall meeting on Wednesday over alleged buses of migrants being dropped off at a local motel from the nation’s southern border. The resident stood up to protest the arrival of migrant buses pushed to the Jersey Shore by the failed immigration policies of President Joe Biden and sanctuary state policies of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

The incident comes after groups aligned with former Mayor Mo Hill spread rumors online that busloads of migrants had been dropped off in Toms River.

However, there were no buses of illegal migrants, just a room full of people looking for the next thing to protest in Toms River.

“Three busloads of illegals,” she said. “I’m sorry, immigrants were dropped at Motel 6 today. Yep, Yep, Yep. I don’t think they’re here for a soccer match or Little League baseball.”

The woman received a resounding applause from the group of detractors of Mayor Dan Rodrick. The allegations caught the entire township council and mayor off guard; it was the first they had heard of it.

The post was initially made on an anti-Rodrick page being run by a political operative with ties to the Mo Hill administration.

“The report of busloads of immigrants being dropped off at Motel 6 was investigated and found to be just the two bus drivers staying the night between their regular shifts,” said Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little.

Paul Hulse from Just Believe, Inc., a group that manages Toms River’s homeless population, also debunked the rumor.

“That’s a false accusation,” Hulse said. “There is nobody getting dropped off from any place, anywhere here.”

Immigration crisis averted.

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News