Mayors from three American cities have renewed calls for more federal help and coordination with Texas regarding the increasing numbers of asylum-seekers arriving in their cities by plane and bus. The mayors of Chicago, New York City, and Denver all spoke out Wednesday about the difficulties their cities face in managing the situation.
This comes as US cities have been struggling to keep up with a rising influx of migrants sent from Texas and other states due to Republican Governor Greg Abbott’s busing operation, which has transported over 80,000 migrants to Democratic-led cities since last year. Recently, his administration has also increased the use of chartered planes.
The mayors were critical of Abbott’s efforts and the fact that buses often arrive at all hours and outside designated drop-off zones, with no details provided about who is aboard. “We cannot allow buses with people needing our help to arrive without warning at any hour of day and night,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated at a virtual news conference with the other mayors. “This not only prevents us from providing assistance in an orderly way, it puts those who have already suffered so much in danger.”
Meanwhile, Chicago has been cracking down on “rogue” buses with lawsuits, fines, and tickets in an attempt to control the situation. However, buses have been trying to avoid penalties by making unscheduled drop-offs in the suburbs, leading local officials to have to intervene. One bus reportedly unloaded migrants overnight at a gas station in Kankakee, which is roughly 70 miles from Chicago.
“The lack of care that has been on display for the last year and a half has created an incredible amount of chaos,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. It is estimated that more than 26,000 migrants have arrived in the city since last year.
New York City plans to follow in Chicago’s footsteps and implement similar rules, announcing an executive order Wednesday requesting that buses only arrive between 8:30 a.m. and noon on weekdays at a single drop-off site. Violators may face fines, lawsuits, or the impoundment of buses. Denver has put similar rules in place for weekday drop-offs during specified hours.
