The antics of Republicans to test Democrats’ promise of “sanctuary cities” continues, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on X that he began busing more than 28,200 migrants to New York and another 49,800 to other cities across the nation.
GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) also has played a part in shipping migrants—possibly including a convicted child rapist—to Martha’s Vineyard. Neither of the two Republican governors seem to realize the repercussions of their actions, as migrants are typically relocated out of these major cities into the suburbs.
Texas began busing migrants to sanctuary cities to provide relief to overwhelmed border towns:
Over 12,500 to DC
Over 28,200 to NYC
Over 23,400 to Chicago
Over 3,200 to Philadelphia
Over 9,500 to Denver
Over 1,200 to LABusing will continue until Biden secures the border.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) December 13, 2023
According to Axios, Abbott has spent $86.1 million between April 2022 and October 2023. That is nearly $1,650 per migrant. The same report notes that more than 66,000 migrants have been shuttled from Texas deeper into the states.
The Texas governor’s actions have trickled down, spreading migrants from these so-called sanctuary cities to the surrounding suburbs. Several counties across New York blocked Mayor Adams’ diverse delivery, prompting the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) to file suit. The New York counties affected were and continue to be predominantly red districts. Still, not one New York Republican has rebuked Abbott’s actions.
By looking at New York’s 21st Rep. Elise Stefanik’s X account, immigration doesn’t appear to be an outstanding issue. “Antisemitism,” or rather anti-Zionism, clearly weighs in as the top priority for the Roman Catholic. This week, she went toe-to-toe with America’s “elite” universities in the widely televised congressional hearings.
Veritas is divine truth, moral truth. Let me be clear, Veritas does not depend on the context. This is a moral failure of @Harvard’s leadership.
President Claudine Gay should have been fired. pic.twitter.com/luGnUHnibG
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) December 12, 2023
Meanwhile, in the southern across Long Island, Republicans are doing much of the same with a heavy hand in the politicking. Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota have yet to condemn Abbott’s actions that almost allowed Adams to redirect migrants to the Town of Riverhead in eastern Long Island.
Luckily for these Republicans, Riverhead Township Supervisor Yvette Aguiar declared a state of emergency forbidding the housing of migrants within the town. Aguiar received heavy criticism from local Democrats but was supported by her congressman, Nick LaLota. She, however, is reportedly resigning from her position, leaving Riverhead as a possible dumping ground for Adams.
New York is not the only city that will be receiving migrants from Abbott, as over 12,500 will go to DC, 23,400 to Chicago, 3,200 to Philadelphia, 9,500 to Denver and 1,200 to Los Angeles. All cities are liberal hotbeds, considered to be sanctuary cities.
According to Crain’s Chicago Business, some Chicago suburbs turned away “busloads of migrants” just this past week. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, still embraces his city’s sanctuary status but plans to sue any companies transporting “rogue buses” of migrants into Chicago.
As for Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love has experienced a severe demographic change since the 90s. The Brookings Institute noted that the immigrant suburban population has already outpaced the city, with nearly 60% of foreign-born living in Philadelphia.
Denver has taken its hits too, particularly this year, as almost 30,000 migrants entered from the southern border, according to NBC News. Surrounding suburbs, like the aforementioned, pushed back against Denver Mayor Michael Johnston’s attempts to harbor the migrants. One commissioner even passed a resolution for Denver to renounce its sanctuary status. Other affected suburbs appear poised to do the same.
Democrats Use Migrant Crisis to Urbanize Long Island, Change Demographics
For Los Angeles, officials claim they haven’t seen an increase in migration. Already, the city hosts over 4.4 million immigrants, with nearly half undocumented, according to the Vera Institute of Justice. The state also has the largest population of non-citizens, with over 5.3 million.
Stubborn deep blue states may retain their sanctuary status, but with the pushback from neighboring suburbs, it doesn’t seem such a policy will likely last. Still, the bigger picture may be Republicans’ neglect of aiding in this drastic demographic change of America.
