How many migrants has TX bused out of state? We check after Gov. Abbott’s RNC speech
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott touted Texas’ busing of migrants to cities across the country as he spoke to a crowd at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night.
“When Joe Biden Kamala Harris refused to even come to Texas and to see the border crisis that they created, I took the border to them,” Abbott said from the convention stage. “I began busing illegal immigrants to Washington, D.C., and we have continued busing migrants to sanctuary cities across the entire country. And those buses will continue to roll until we finally secure our border. “
Sanctuary cities generally refer to cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Just how many migrants has Texas shuttled out of the state?
According to a June 28 news release from the governor’s office, the state has transported:
- More than 12,500 migrants to Washington D.C. since April 2022
- More than 45,900 migrants to New York City since August 2022
- More than 36,900 migrants to Chicago since August 2022
- More than 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022
- More than 19,200 migrants to Denver since May 2023
- More than 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 2023
The news release did not specify the mode of transportation, and a spokesperson for Abbott did not immediately clarify. Texas has also flown migrants out of the state.
On Jan. 12, the governor’s office sent out a news release highlighted its efforts transporting more than 100,000 migrants out of the state. The news release said the state, at that time, had bused:
- More than 12,500 migrants to Washington D.C. since April 2022
- More than 37,100 migrants to New York City since August 2022
- More than 30,800 migrants to Chicago since August 2022
- More than 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022
- More than 15,700 migrants to Denver since May 18, 2023
- More than 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 14, 2023
The state had spent more than $148 million busing migrants to other cities as of Jan. 24, according to The Texas Newsroom.
This story was originally published July 18, 2024 at 1:18 PM.
