On Fox News Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott continued his back-and-forth with New York City Mayor Eric Adams over Abbott’s busing of migrants from the Lone Star State to the Big Apple, a sanctuary city.
On Thursday, Adams, a Democrat, offered the Republican governor a free stay at a migrant shelter during his trip to New York to headline the Republican Party’s annual banquet.
On Sunday, Abbott responded by calling Adams’ invitation a “gimmick” and stating that he should concentrate on his hometown. The governor also claimed that President Joe Biden’s actions pushed him to shuttle refugees to New York and other sanctuary towns.
Abbott told Martha MacCallum, “Joe Biden’s political games are invading our country in ways that put it at risk.” “And Mayor Adams is just aiding and abetting that by having sanctuary city status…welcoming anybody from across the world to live there and stay there, on the bill of New York.”
He went on to say, “What Mayor Adams needs to do is stop talking boldly about immigration and the migrants Texas is sending there and step up and do his own job.”
The Context:
In recent years, Texas has borne the brunt of the large influx of illegal migrants across the United States-Mexico border. Abbott has utilized deterrence methods like installing razor wire along the southern border and busing migrants to sanctuary cities around the United States.
Adams, like mayors in Chicago and Denver, has asked the federal government for greater assistance, claiming that the inflow of migrants could “destroy” his city. Meanwhile, he has repeatedly clashed with Abbott over the migrant situation.
“I’m going to offer him a stay in one of the HERRCs so he can see what he has created and understand how we are treating people with dignity and respect that he should have shown as well,” Adams said at a press conference when asked about Abbott’s visit to the city.
The term “HERRCs” alludes to New York City’s humanitarian emergency response and relief facilities, which accommodate migrants as they arrive.
What We Know:
In fiscal year 2023, New York City welcomed over 175,000 migrants and allocated a staggering $1.45 billion to accommodate, nourish, and offer essential services to these individuals.
In January, Governor Abbott made an announcement stating that more than 100,000 migrants have been transported by bus to sanctuary cities like New York City, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Los Angeles since April 2022. According to public records obtained by CNN, the expenses incurred in hiring private contractors for this transportation have amounted to approximately $1,500 per migrant.
Abbott reported in January that sanctuary cities like New York City, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Los Angeles have received over 100,000 migrants since April 2022. According to the payments made to private contractors thus far, which CNN obtained through public records, it has cost almost $1,500 to transport each migrant out of Texas.
Views:
Previously, Adams has criticized Abbott, referring to him as “morally bankrupt” and a “madman” due to his busing policies.
In a letter addressed to Abbott, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Adams criticized the Texas governor’s decision to resume the transportation of migrants to major cities.
Adams expressed in the letter that Abbott lacks any regard for the welfare of asylum seekers. Additionally, he accused Abbott of specifically targeting sanctuary cities led by Black mayors and treating immigrants as mere “political pawns.”
According to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Abbott should not bear the burden of dealing with migrants all by himself.
“I understand why he is busing them,” Johnston explained to Lawrence Jones, co-host of Fox & Friends, in a January interview. “In my opinion, Abbott’s perspective is that no single state should bear the burden of accommodating the entire influx of newcomers… I believe this applies not only to states but also to cities.”
Johnston, a Democrat, has reached out to the GOP governor in hopes of collaborating to address the increasing number of migrants crossing the border in Texas.
What’s Next?
New York City officials have expressed concerns over the continuous influx of migrants, stating that there seems to be no foreseeable end to the situation. This prolonged migration trend is projected to impose a significant financial burden on the city, with estimates suggesting that it could cost approximately $12 billion by the 2025 fiscal year.
Prepaid debit cards appear to contain twice as much money for necessities as other NYC welfare handouts for migrants arriving in New York City.
Adams emphasized that the cards will reduce the migrant costs in the city by 20 percent.
