How much has Texas spent to send busloads of migrants to NYC, other sanctuary cities?
For months, Texas has been sending thousands of migrants on buses to Washington D.C., New York City and Chicago as part of Operation Lone Star — costing the state over $12 million so far.
Since April, the Texas Division of Emergency Management at the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott has been coordinating the transportation of migrants from Texas border communities to sanctuary cities. The order was a response to President Joe Biden’s decision to end Title 42, a public health order implemented by the Trump administration in March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows the government to deny individuals from entering the country if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes “there is serious danger of the introduction of (a communicable) disease into the United States.”
So far, more than 10,200 migrants have been sent out of Texas on over 230 buses, according to the governor’s office.
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has no real plan for addressing this unprecedented surge of illegal aliens but may resort to releasing groups of them in Texas communities whose resources are already overwhelmed,” Abbott wrote in a letter to TDEM. “Texans cannot continue to shoulder the burdens imposed by open-border advocates in other parts of the country.”
How many migrants have been sent out of Texas?
Here are the latest numbers per the governor’s office:
- DC: over 7,800 on over 185 buses
- NYC: over 2,100 on over 40 buses
- CHI: over 300 on over 5 buses
How much has it cost Texas?
As of mid-August, TDEM says it has paid over $12 million busing migrants to the three cities.
“TDEM coordinates with officials in border communities to identify migrants who have been released in Texas border communities by the federal government,” spokesperson Seth Christensen said.
Upon their arrival in the United States, the government processes migrants then releases them to non-governmental organizations. The NGOs work directly with the migrants, offering medical screening, COVID testing and other care and services when needed. Additional services such as travel care kits may also be provided, TDEM says.
Each bus is capable of transporting approximately 45 to 55 people. The division said every bus passenger signs a voluntary travel consent form prior to departure.
“A migrant must volunteer to be transported and show documentation from DHS,” Christensen said.
Buses undergo a commercial vehicle inspection before they are dispatched to the border, according to TDEM. The commercial charter buses are equipped with restrooms, and are stocked with food and water ahead of each trip. The state-contracted buses make stops en route to their destinations to refuel or switch drivers and passengers are allowed to get off while the buses are stopped.
“TDEM utilizes a State of Texas contingency contract to charter the buses, which includes private security,” Christensen said.
This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 2:11 PM.
