To bus migrants, DC and federal officials react to Texas plan

When the Biden administration ends the public health order known as Title 42 next month, it will resume processing asylum claims at the border. The Trump-era rule allows border officials to send migrants back to their home countries because of the pandemic.

Public health order Title 42 is a Trump-era rule that allows border officials to send migrants back to their home countries because of the pandemic
When Title 42 expires, the Biden administration will resume processing asylum claims at the border
Republicans warn that a surge of migrants will then travel to the United States seeking entry

Gov. Abbott said he will ferry migrants to Washington by bus or plane, but did not explain in full detail how the state would do that

"Texas is providing charter buses to send these illegal immigrants who have been dropped off by the Biden administration to Washington, D.C.," Abbott said. "We are sending them to the United States Capitol where the Biden administration will be able to more immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border."

Republicans warn that a surge of migrants will then travel to the United States seeking entry. At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott said he will simply ferry them to Washington by bus or plane.

Abbott, who is running for reelection, did not explain in full detail how the state would do that. Shortly after the press conference, his office said in order for migrants to board a bus or flight, they must volunteer after U.S. Homeland Security officials process them.

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In Washington, Anita Bonds, an at-large council member for the Council of the District of Columbia, told Spectrum News the thought of immigrants does not scare the nation's capital and she welcomes them with open arms. In a statement, Bonds said, "Gov. Abbott is part of a long-standing trend around the country in which some elected officials see D.C. as a political pawn in their ideological battles and not as a jurisdiction with residents and laws of its own. We have working, taxpaying residents just like Texas, and I do not appreciate the lack of respect for our community shown by Gov. Abbott." Some Democrats in Congress agree. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, told Spectrum News she would not be surprised if there is litigation against Abbott and she believes his plan is unconstitutional.

"The very idea that he thinks he should get involved… Put them [migrants] on a bus paid for by our taxpayers, all the way up here to Washington, D.C. to just make a political point. It's just a political stunt. And it's worse. It's shameful, because we're talking about families, we're talking about children. People that are fleeing violence or fleeing poverty," Garcia said. Abbott and other Republicans have been highly critical of President Joe Biden's handling of the border. Abbott said those policies have forced the state to spend billions of dollars trying to maintain order.