There has been a recent trend of transporting immigrants to unorthodox locations. The wave began close to a month ago, as Texas governor Greg Abbott surprisingly sent several busses packed with migrants to New York City. Abbott claims that his antagonistic tactics were an attempt to test New York’s allegiance to the undocumented as a sanctuary city.
Abbott’s move was also a publicity stunt to grab President Biden’s attention in an attempt for more border security. But what does Abbott’s stunt truly reveal about the United States today and the chances for immigration reform? How are other cities being impacted by this trend? What exactly is to be said concerning the governing officials who are following suit with Abbott’s actions?
What This Trend Truly Reveals About The State of America
As stated above, the initial onset of this trend began with Abbott sending several busses to New York City. As this controversy stirred last month, the city’s Mayor, Eric Adams, expressed his discontent and hurried to find the appropriate housing, healthcare, and resources for the hundreds of migrants.
When interviewed, some of the asylum seekers expressed that they had no idea where the bus was taking them, or what they were to expect. They were simply seeking help and refuge in the United States.
It is no secret that Texas and New York City could not hold more opposing views on political issues such as immigration reform. It has always been the overarching narrative that Republican states such as Texas and Florida contain more aggressive and unwelcoming sentiments. However, many people, even those who would like to see more restrictive immigration policies, view Abbott’s acts as inappropriate.
But the act of transporting migrants to a different jurisdiction reveals a deeper issue in the fabric of the United States, concerning our ability to effectively care for the disenfranchised. The influx of immigrants that are being sent to sanctuary cities have overwhelmed places such as New York and Washington D.C. There are simply not enough resources to satisfy the needs of asylum seekers. The elderly, women, and children in these groups of migrants represent a vulnerable population who must now navigate life in the states amidst cultural and language barriers as the result of a spiteful prank from some of the nation’s most powerful officials.
Yet, the cities which advertise refuge and safety for these migrants are also approaching a state of disarray as to how to make provision for them. Currently, New York City shelters are so overwhelmed by the migrant crisis that Mayor Adams is currently examining the prospect of placing the migrants on cruise ships for temporary housing. If there is no place for asylum seekers in the infamous ‘land of opportunity’ that is New York City, is there a place for them anywhere?
Governor Abbott’s choice of New York is emblematic of the current state of the country concerning immigration. Although harsh and cruel, his stunt reveals that whether red or blue, no sect of the United States is appropriately equipped to offer sufficient help for foreigners in need of resources. It begs us to deeper examine our willingness and ability to truly come through for the desolate population.
The Trend Has Gone Too Far
Shortly after Abbott’s stunt, Republican officials in states such as Arizona and Florida have followed suit. It has now become popular to transport immigrants to cities run by Democrats. The states have funded these endeavors, and one has even gone as far as to drop a bus off in front of Vice President Kamala Harris’ place of residence.
Whether you think these stunts are cruel or you support them, they reveal the inability of both left and right cities to sustain appropriate immigration accommodations. Whether these cities are willing or not, the social and economic infrastructure of the United States is facing an overall migrant crisis.
The most recent mimicry of the trend has been headed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who flew dozens of immigrants into wealthy and prestigious Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. DeSantis described the act as the “humane thing to do,” when questioned by commentators. Many believe that this is also an attempt to win votes in the running for the 2024 election. However, DeSantis claims that he is trying to use the state’s budget to allocate resources for the migrants that so frequent the state seeking refuge, and deter the amount of migrants coming into the state.
Regardless the United States is still very polarized in regard to how to effectively handle the migrant crisis, and it is expected to snowball into a larger issue if officials around the country cannot find common ground.
