With a large number of undocumented migrants arriving in New York City and Washington D.C. from Texas, there are growing calls from the mayors of both cities for the help of the National Guard and Federal government.
Though Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) initially denied being responsible for initiating the transfers, he recently admitted to authorizing “Operation Lone Star” and claimed he began to bus the bussing operation to alleviate the situation in his state.
With nowhere to stay, the migrants are adding to the already-large local homeless population.
Many immigration lawyers based in the cities are registering the families but are having trouble housing them.
After the shelters surged to over 40,000 in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams (D) asked for federal aid and the national guard, along with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Recently the Pentagon rejected Bowser’s requests.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that DOD “determined providing this support would negatively impact the readiness of the DCNG and have negative effects on the organization and members.”
“We understand SAMU First Response has received grant funding through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program and has indicated that sufficient EFSP funds exist at this point to provide migrant assistance,” Austin continued.
In a statement, Abbott stated, “Over 50 migrants were bused to New York City this morning from the southern border in Texas. This is now a drop-off location for our ongoing busing strategy.”
