New York City spent roughly $50,000 over a one-year period to resettle dozens of migrants in different parts of the United States, including Florida and Texas, as well as other countries, including South American nations and even the china
The city spent $50,000 between April 2022 and April 2023 to relocate 114 immigrant households in states across the country, according to data obtained by Politico. The top three states were Florida (28 households), Texas (14) and North Carolina (6). The outlet also reported that five households were sent to other countries, including Peru, China, Ecuador and Venezuela.
The existence of out-of-town transportation programs for migrants is neither new nor hidden. The city announced in September the formation of Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers, which offer services to migrants including “settlement options” through family connections both inside and outside the Big Apple.
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“We found that people had other destinations, but they were only required to come to New York City, and we’re helping to interview those who want to go elsewhere,” Adams said in February. “Some want to go to Canada, some want to go to warmer states, and we’re there for them as they continue to move forward in pursuit of that dream.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams listens as Governor Kathy Hochul delivers her State of the State address in the Assembly Chambers at the State Capitol on January 10, 2023 in Albany, New York York. Adams on Monday announced a new program aimed at housing asylum seekers in religious shelters. (AP/Hans Pennink)
But Politico’s data comes after Adams and other U.S. Democratic leaders have slammed the governors of Florida and Texas over their resettlement programs that transport migrants to so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions such as New York City, Washington D.C. and California
Critics have denounced Republican governors for what they say is the arming of immigrants as part of a political gimmick, accusing them of tricking migrants into transporting them against their will. Governors have rejected those claims and said the transports are voluntary.
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In a statement to Politicoa spokesman for Texas Gov. Abbott pointed to recent comments by Adams in which he called busing migrants “morally bankrupt.”
“Where is all the outrage and condemnation from the White House and the Democrats that one of their own is sending migrants out of town, out of state and even out of the country?” Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said.
But New York officials rejected the comparison, saying the tickets being purchased are not part of a chartered service, unlike what Texas does, and that the city transports migrants to other parts of the state of New York York. Officials have also cited cases where people were sent to New York who didn’t want to be there.
“The governor of Texas chartered buses in New York City and put asylum seekers, many of whom did NOT want to come here, on multi-day trips with no food, limited water, few bathroom breaks and no medical attention,” said a City Council spokesman. he told Fox News Digital.
“Our crews that assembled the buses served people who were dehydrated, malnourished, and in many cases said they didn’t want to come to New York City. We heard reports from asylum seekers. tagged with barcodes, prevented from getting off the bus during the journey and forced to sign papers they did not fully understand. Instead, New York City, as we’ve discussed publicly for months, has worked to connect people with friends, family and networks, whether in New York City or outside of it. We are not coercing people to leave, we are not suggesting or recommending locations, and we are not presenting any kind of false choice. We’re helping people who want to reconnect with their loved ones or communities to do so.”
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But the controversy spills over into the ongoing debate about transporting migrants and the ethics involved in doing so. Border states like Texas have argued they need to protect their communities from a historic influx of migrants and believe they are justified in sending them to jurisdictions calling for policies they say have fueled the crisis.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently defended his transports to California after Gov. Gavin Newsom and other California officials accused his state of “kidnapping” migrants.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott looks on during a press conference on March 15, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“These sanctuary jurisdictions are part of the reason we have this problem because they have endorsed and agitated for these kinds of open border policies,” DeSantis said. “They have been presumed to be sanctuary jurisdictions.”
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“I don’t think we should have any of that. But if there’s a policy to have an open border, then I think sanctuary jurisdictions should be the ones that have to bear it,” he said. “We are not a sanctuary in Florida.”
Figures released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) last week showed there were more than 204,000 migrant encounters at the southern border in May alone, bringing the total for the fiscal year to more than 1.6 million.
Adam Shaw is a political reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.
