The mayors of New York, Chicago, D.C. and Denver are sounding the alarm as an unending surge of migrants from the southern border pushes their cities to the brink.

Republican governors in three border states have sent migrants to Democratic-led cities in protest of President Biden’s immigration policies.

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Surge of migrants continues  

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) led the charge, sending migrants north as early as April of 2022. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) initiated his transport of migrants last year.

 Texas Governor Greg Abbott's controversial strategy of sending migrants to other states has exacerbated the situation, creating political tensions and logistical challenges for these cities.

Fed up with federal releases of large numbers of migrants into overwhelmed small towns in his state (including Uvalde), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) began offering migrants free bus trips to DC.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) followed suit, creating what even Vanity Fair has termed, “A Migrant Crisis in Washington.”

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) reaffirmed her town’s status as an immigrant “sanctuary city” after Donald Trump’s 2016 election. However, in 2022, she called Abbott’s efforts “cruel political gamesmanship” creating a “humanitarian crisis.” 

She also claimed the crisis “must be dealt with at the federal level” in a letter to the Department of Defense she sought National Guard support (rejected by the DOD).

Last year Bowser was complaining about approximately 4,000 migrants who arrived over three months into her city of more than 707,000. 

In March 2022, by comparison, DHS was dropping off up to 150 migrants per day in Uvalde, population 15,312, or roughly one migrant for every 102 residents daily.

Abbott's strategy gets attention

A 2023 increase in migrant arrivals has prompted Abbott to intensify his strategy, recently sending planeloads of migrants to Chicago and New York. The move not only challenges regulations on migrant transportation but also puts additional strain on cities already grappling with the influx. 

New York Mayor Eric Adams responded by adopting regulations similar to Chicago's after a Texas-chartered plane was diverted to Philadelphia, leading to migrants being sent to New York on buses.

Both New York and Chicago have seen a significant increase in the number of migrants, with New York City processing around 161,000 migrants since spring 2022. 

Chicago, on the other hand, has dealt with nearly 31,000 people arriving by chartered buses or airplanes since August 2022. The cities are collectively calling for federal intervention, labeling the situation an emergency and urging for additional support to manage the crisis.

Mayors seek Federal Assistance

Abbott's busing programs have prompted concerns and criticism, with accusations of cruelty and inhumane politics. The mayors argue that the burden placed on their cities is unsustainable, costing billions and impacting various services.

They are seeking federal assistance to address the immediate challenges and prevent further escalation.

Despite the tensions, the surge of migrants continues unabated, with Border Patrol agents making over 10,000 arrests a day in December. While Congress debates potential border security measures, cities like New York and Chicago are expecting more arrivals in record-breaking numbers in 2024.