Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced during a keynote address at the New York Republican Party’s annual gala that Texas will continue bussing illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities until a new president is elected. This decision comes in response to the ongoing influx of illegal immigrants entering the U.S., with Abbott criticizing New York City Mayor Eric Adams for his handling of the crisis.
Abbott explained that he initiated the bussing of illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities after local officials in Texas raised concerns about the number of migrants being dropped off by federal authorities in their communities. Initially planning to bus migrants to Washington, D.C., Abbott shifted his focus to New York City after Adams criticized his approach to the issue.
Despite clarifying that Texas was not sending migrants to New York City, Abbott decided to follow through with the bussing to hold himself accountable for the criticism he received. The influx of roughly 180,000 illegal immigrants in New York City since 2022 has strained city resources, with an estimated 107,000 individuals bussed in from Texas.
Abbott attributed the surge in illegal immigration to the policy decisions of the Biden administration, labeling the situation in Texas as 'extraordinarily dangerous.' He praised former President Donald Trump's efforts to curb illegal immigration and criticized Biden for failing to secure the U.S. border.
House GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley also attended the event, echoing Abbott's sentiments on the need to address illegal immigration. Stefanik emphasized the importance of securing the border, while Abbott accused Biden of either lying or lacking understanding regarding the issue.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, prior to Abbott's visit, offered the Texas governor a complimentary stay at a migrant shelter in a facetious response to Abbott's handling of the migrant crisis. Adams highlighted the city's coordination in managing the influx of migrants and criticized Abbott for displacing the issue to local municipalities.
Abbott dismissed Adams' offer as a gimmick during an appearance on Fox News Channel's 'Hannity,' emphasizing the need for effective solutions to address the migrant crisis. New York City's government projects spending at least $10.6 billion on migrants by summer 2025, underscoring the financial impact of the ongoing influx.
