Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a statement on Wednesday, revealing that nearly 70,000 migrants have been bused to so-called sanctuary cities, and the state will continue this practice until President Biden takes decisive action to "secure the border."
This comes as part of the state's border security and burden-sharing effort launched in 2021, known as Operation Lone Star, as per New York Post.
Texas Sends Migrants to Sanctuary Cities
AUSTIN, TEXAS - JUNE 08: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference at the Texas State Capitol on June 08, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Gov. Abbott and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw joined bill authors, sponsors, legislators and law enforcement members in the signing of bills designated towards enhancing border security along the southern border.
Over one-third of the migrants, approximately 25,000 individuals, were routed to New York City under this initiative. In an Instagram story post, Governor Abbott shared a breakdown of the cities receiving migrants, stating, "Texas will bus migrants to sanctuary cities until Biden secures the border."
The list included over 12,500 to Washington DC, 25,000 to New York City, 20,000 to Chicago, 3,200 to Philadelphia, 7,400 to Denver, and just over 1,100 to Los Angeles.
Despite criticism from Democrats, Governor Abbott defends the busing program, emphasizing that it provides much-needed relief to border towns in Texas that face overwhelming difficulties resulting from an increase of immigration from Mexico.
In response to the criticism from Democrat-led cities, Abbott argues that so-called sanctuary cities can claim to welcome illegal immigrants without facing the daily challenges experienced by border towns.
However, officials in these cities have sharply criticized Abbott for sending buses filled with migrants without sufficient notice.
New York City, in particular, has faced significant challenges and backlash from residents. A 94-year-old Army war veteran was evicted from his nursing home to accommodate migrants for free, sparking a public outcry. Residents express frustration over tax payments and feel neglected by city officials.
Governor Abbott continues to defend the busing program as a necessary measure to address the ongoing migrant crisis. The state has spent more than $86 million on the program from April 2022 to October 2023, averaging $1,650 per person, according to Fox News.
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Texas Funds Migrant Charter Buses Amid Border Crisis
The funds cover the cost of state-run charters, where migrants must volunteer to board and sign a release form indicating their understanding of their destination and willingness to participate.
When Abbott initiated the program, he pledged that Texas alone would not bear the burden of the border crisis, blaming President Biden for the continuous surge in illegal crossings.
The mayor of Albuquerque, Tim Kelle, criticized Abbott's actions as "gutless" and called for solutions rather than what he deemed "dangerous, life-threatening stunts."
New York City has received the highest number of migrants, totaling 24,200 since August 2022. In contrast, Texas received 1.3 million migrants from October 2022 through September 2023, according to US Customs and Border Protection.
The situation in New York has led to Mayor Eric Adams seeking federal and state aid as the city struggles to accommodate the influx of asylum seekers. The mayor initially welcomed asylum seekers but later faced challenges finding suitable accommodations, leading to requests for external assistance.
As the debate over immigration policies continues, the busing program remains a contentious issue, highlighting the complexities surrounding the management of migrants and their impact on both border and sanctuary cities, Mail Online reported.
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