MILWAUKEE — Speaking at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to continue sending migrants to Chicago and other sanctuary cities.
And he said the bussing of people who crossed the southern border to other cities would continue “until we finally secure our border.”
“When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris refused to even come to Texas and to see the border crisis that they created, I took the border to them,” he told conventioneers at the Fiserv Forum, stretching the truth. “I began bussing illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C. And we have continued bussing migrants to sanctuary cities across the entire country, and those busses will continue to roll until we finally secure our border.”
Vice President Harris visited Texas and discussed migrant border crossings within months of taking office. Biden has also paid a visit to the border.
The latest data from the city, released hours before Abbott’s remarks, said 44,938 migrants have been sent aboard 946 buses to the city since August 2022. The City Council in April approved $70 million in funding for shelter and food.
Concerns have risen in recent months due to issues with temporary migrant housing, aborted plans for additional city sites, a now-contained measles outbreak, unexpected arrivals, and crime. These issues come amid discussions on whether Chicago will remain a Welcoming City. Chicago obtained Sanctuary City status in 1985 following an executive order issued by former city mayor Harold Washington.
Gov. JB Pritzker called the bussing a “cheap political stunt” and requested additional funding from the federal government. The state of New York has filed a suit against Abbott’s administration, seeking compensation.