Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expands migrant bus operation, sending first group to Denver. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the state’s migrant bus operation to include Denver, Colorado, as a destination for migrants released from federal custody. The operation was launched in April 2022 and was previously limited to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia. The goal of the operation is to reduce the burden of receiving migrants on smaller communities along the southern border. The migrants travel on the buses voluntarily. On May 18, 2023, the first group of migrants sent to Denver were dropped off near Civic Center Park in the city’s downtown. Before this announcement, Texas’ migrant busing operation was limited to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and Philadelphia. The state has said that it will continue busing migrants to self-declared sanctuary cities like Denver until President Biden and his administration step up and fulfill their constitutional duty to secure the border. The move has been criticized by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock as political theater.
What is the purpose of Abbott’s migrant busing operation?
The purpose of Governor Abbott’s migrant busing operation is to reduce the burden of receiving migrants on smaller communities along the southern border. The operation is designed to transport migrant adults and families released from federal custody to Democratic-led cities, which Abbott believes will force national attention on Texas’ immigration problems. The migrants travel on the buses voluntarily. The program has been criticized by mayors in the cities where the migrants are being sent, who say that their social services have been overrun by the influx. Abbott has expressed delight over their complaints, noting that those same mayors have declared their cities as sanctuaries for immigrants.
What is the response of immigration rights advocates to Abbott’s busing program?
Immigration rights advocates say that Governor Abbott’s migrant busing program is actually establishing one of the nation’s most generous publicly funded services to assist immigrants. The program provides voluntary trips to migrants, bridging an important gap – the stiff cost of transportation – for immigrants entering the country. However, some experts raise concerns about Abbott’s execution of the program and note that Abbott’s intentions are not rooted in humanitarianism.
