This comes in response to Adams' earlier allegations that Abbott was "morally bankrupt" and exploiting migrants as "political pawns." These comments were in reference to Abbott's strategy of transporting individuals from Texas to various Democrat-governed cities, including New York City and Chicago.
During the New York Republican Party's annual gala last Thursday, Abbott clarified why Texas initiated the transportation of illegal migrants to New York City. He stated, "We made clear by contacting [Adams'] office, and said, 'We're not sending them to New York. That's Joe Biden sending them to New York.'" Despite their denial, Abbott said the criticism persisted, leading him to decide, "If I'm going to get the criticism, I want to get the credit." This marked the beginning of the transportation of illegal immigrants to New York City, a sanctuary city.
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Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for Adams' office, refuted Abbott's claims, stating, "Remember that [Abbott] lied in 2022 about this and falsely claimed we never reached out when we found he was bussing migrants to NYC before he finally admitted to doing so."
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Prior to Abbott's visit to New York City, Adams extended an invitation to the governor to stay at one of the city's migrant shelters. Adams stated during a press conference, "I'm going to offer him a stay in one of the HERRCs [Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers] so he can see what he has created and understand how we are treating people with the dignity and respect that he should have shown as well."
Abbott, however, rejected Adams' allegations of using migrants as "political pawns." He shifted the blame to President Joe Biden, stating, "Joe Biden has created this open border policy that has allowed illegal immigrants into our country to appeal to and to appease the far-leftist in the Democrat party… while at the same time destroying the country that he's in charge of."
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Abbott further argued that Adams' sanctuary policies are supporting Biden's open border policies, thereby posing safety risks for New York City residents. He urged Adams to focus on his duties as mayor, citing the dangers in New York City under his watch, including a police officer's death and attacks on police officers in Times Square by illegal immigrants.
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Fox News Digital reported that approximately 180,000 migrants have arrived in the city since 2022. According to Abbott's office, Texas has transported more than 41,000 illegal migrants to New York City since August 2022.
Earlier this year, Adams filed lawsuits against 17 bus companies in an attempt to halt Abbott's efforts to relocate illegal migrants to New York City. At least three charter companies have confirmed they have ceased transporting migrants to the city.
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Despite previously supporting measures that prevent local law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration agents, Adams called for changes to the city's sanctuary policy during a February town hall meeting. He stated, "But those small numbers that have committed crimes, we need to modify the sanctuary city law that if you commit a felony or violent act, we should be able to turn you over to [United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and have you deported."
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