New York has become emblematic of that strain and division two years into a migrant crisis that has reached far beyond Texas due to Abbott’s efforts. State Republican Committee Chair Ed Cox said campaigning on immigration is how he plans to help the GOP retain control of the U.S. House in November. The GOP flipped four Democratic House seats in New York in 2022, more than any other state.
Two years ago, Abbott began busing migrants from Texas to New York City and other Democratic-led cities in a brazen rebuke of the Biden administration’s border controls. Adams and other Democrats labeled the busing policy an inhumane “political stunt,” but the tactic succeeded in dividing Democrats and making immigration a local issue in states far from the southern border.
Democratic Party leaders say the Republicans’ campaign rhetoric on immigration will fail, and point to Democrat Tom Suozzi’s recent triumph in flipping Republican George Santos’ Long Island congressional seat. In the special election, the GOP tried to portray Suozzi as being weak on border security and immigration. Democrats highlighted Republicans’ unwillingness to act on immigration reform, including compromises forged by a bipartisan group of Senate lawmakers.
Abbott’s role in the migrant crisis
New York City’s migrant crisis seemed to spring out of nowhere in 2022. Busloads of migrants from Texas began showing up at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, unannounced and at all hours.
All told, since the spring of 2022, Abbott has spent more than $148 million to bus over 100,000 migrants to predominantly Democratic-run cities, according to a tally reported on Feb. 21 by the Texas Tribune.
Adams has condemned Abbott’s busing initiative as “morally bankrupt” and “devoid of concern” for the well-being of migrants, whom he claims are being used as “political pawns.” Adams has also claimed that “Abbott is using this crisis to hurt Black-run cities,” noting that many of the cities that have become top migrant destinations have Black mayors.