In an exclusive interview with The Post, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas revealed his decision to send migrants from the Texas border to sanctuary cities across the country in 2022, in response to criticism from New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Initially, Abbott had only planned to send migrants to Washington, DC, but Adams’ comments prompted him to expand the program to include multiple sanctuary cities, including New York. The buses from Texas began arriving in New York in August 2022, which marked the start of a nationwide controversy.
The migrant busing program instigated by Abbott changed the narrative of the crisis on the southern border from a local issue to a national concern. While most of the migrants who ended up in New York and other cities came on their own, Abbott’s program was responsible for approximately 20% of those who passed through the city shelters. The initiative was criticized by many as a malicious use of immigrants for political gain, with Mayor Adams labeling Abbott as “anti-American” for his decision to bus migrants.
City Hall in New York City rebuked Abbott’s program, stating that Mayor Adams had done more to assist migrants than Abbott’s initiative ever did. The spokesperson for City Hall highlighted their efforts to support migrants and move them along in their journeys, contrasting it with Abbott’s plan, which they called a failure. Abbott, on the other hand, defended the program, claiming that it ultimately helped migrants and brought national attention to the border crisis, urging people to recognize it as a concern for the entire United States, not just Texas.
Governor Abbott has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s border policies, citing the significant impact on Texas, particularly with the surge in migrant crossings. He has implemented various security measures along the border, which have been met with opposition from the federal government. Despite legal challenges, Abbott’s efforts have resulted in a decrease in border crossings in Texas. He expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of a Harris presidency, accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of ignoring the border crisis and refusing to engage with Texas on the matter.
In addition to the migrant crisis, Abbott highlighted the emergence of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela in the United States, which he attributed to the policies of the Biden administration. The gang has spread to various states, engaging in criminal activities such as prostitution. Abbott has taken steps to combat the gang, offering bounties for the capture of its members and designating it as a foreign terrorist organization. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the gang’s presence in the United States and the need for continued security measures.
Abbott’s original aim with the migrant busing program was to draw attention from the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to the border crisis by bringing it to their doorstep. Despite criticism from Mayor Adams and others, he stood by his decision to send migrants to sanctuary cities as a way to highlight the chaos caused by lax border policies. Abbott stressed the upcoming presidential election as a critical juncture for the United States, signaling his support for a potential Trump presidency to address the border crisis effectively. He emphasized the urgency of securing the border and protecting the country’s future in light of ongoing challenges.
