Texas-to-Los Angeles Migrant Transport Labeled “Despicable Stunt” by Mayor

In what the mayor of Los Angeles has condemned as a “despicable stunt” orchestrated by a Republican governor, a group of migrants arrived by bus in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday. City agencies and charitable organizations, under the supervision of Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León’s office, provided care for the 42 individuals, including children, who were dropped off at Union Station around 4 p.m.

Jorge Mario Cabrera from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, who spoke with several migrants, revealed that they had spent 23 hours on the bus without food or water. He confirmed that they were now being provided with nourishment, shelter, and legal support. These migrants had been granted entry into the United States due to their credible fears but were yet to receive asylum. The majority hailed from Latin American nations such as Honduras and Venezuela, while one person had an immigration appointment in New York.

Mayor Karen Bass announced that she had directed city departments to prepare for receiving migrants from other states, responding to a recent trend of GOP governors sending asylum-seekers to Democratic states. Bass asserted that Los Angeles would not be swayed by these tactics, emphasizing that the city is driven by compassion and would not succumb to fear or hate.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott explained that the migrants were sent to Los Angeles because California had designated itself a “sanctuary” for immigrants, granting protections and limited state benefits to individuals residing in the country illegally. Abbott stated that Texas, being at the forefront of President Biden’s border crisis, would continue providing relief until the federal government took action to secure the border.

In a similar move, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis flew groups of migrants from border states to Sacramento, California, using taxpayer funds. Furthermore, last autumn, Florida transported 49 Venezuelans to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard.

The migrants in Los Angeles were being assisted at St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church near downtown.

Contributions to this story were made by photographer Damian Dovarganes from Big Big News.

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• Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Statement
• Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León’s Office
• Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s Statement
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights