Texas has sent a tenth bus of asylum seekers to Los Angeles. The vehicle carried 39 passengers from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela.
The Asylum Seekers Were Exhausted
Despite the weariness from their arduous journey, the asylum seekers reportedly displayed resilience upon their arrival at Union Station. A spokesperson from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights said: “They arrived obviously tired, exhausted after a long trip, but none seem emaciated or ill. They are desperate to get off the bus but they are not distraught.”
Showers, Meals, and Legal Advice
Upon arrival at Union Station, the asylum seekers were smoothly transported to Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Boyle Heights. This process was part of a pre-established plan involving city departments, nonprofits, and faith partners. At the high school, the refugees received showers, meals, and legal advice. Representatives from the LA Welcomes Collective were present to provide guidance and assistance.
A “Political Act”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to send such buses has faced its fair share of criticism from numerous individuals, including Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles. “LA has not extended an invitation asking for people to come. This is a political act,” she said. The city is considered a sanctuary city for immigrants.
An Unprecedented Storm
Mayor Bass further condemned the buses on social media. In the midst of Storm Hilary, she took to X – formally Twitter – and wrote: “This evening, Los Angeles received another bus from Texas. That means that while we were urging Angelenos to stay safe, the Governor of Texas was sending a bus with families and toddlers straight towards us knowing they’d have to drive right into an unprecedented storm.”
The Asylum Seekers Signed Consent Waivers
Speaking to Fox News, Governor Abbot’s press secretary – Andrew Mahaleris – explained that the asylum seekers signed consent waivers. He said: “Bus drivers receive updated weather conditions along their routes and for their destination ahead of, and while en route to, the sanctuary cities. Yesterday’s bus rerouted out of an abundance of caution and took a cautious path to Los Angeles to keep all on board safe. Migrants willingly chose to go to Los Angeles, having signed a voluntary consent waiver available in multiple languages upon boarding.”
Secure the Border
Mahaleris went on to call for tighter border security. He said: “Each bus is stocked with food and water and makes stops along the trip to refuel and switch drivers. Migrants are allowed to purchase any needed provisions or disembark at any of these stops. Instead of complaining about Texas providing much-needed relief to our overrun and overwhelmed border communities, Mayor Bass needs to call on President Biden to step up and do his job to secure the border – something he continues failing to do.”
The Internet Responded
The internet has been discussing Texas’ bus-sending antics since they began – and opinions are divided. “Abbot needs a better gig than human trafficking and cruelty,” one person wrote. “Seize the bus pending an investigation into whether these people were kidnapped or human trafficked,” another echoed.
Not Human Trafficking
Some people argued the opposite. One person wrote: “Regardless of your opinion on this, people need to stop saying it’s human trafficking. It’s not. These people consented to the move, signed waivers to prove it, and aren’t being forced into anything.”
Others Defended the Buses
A fair few commenters defended the buses and pointed out that it makes sense to send refugees to states that are welcoming to them. One such individual wrote: “You’re upset because Texas is sending them to California? We are a sanctuary. Every state should send us their immigrants. We have tons of space.”
Blue States Are Better for Asylum Seekers
Some commenters felt that moving refugees to blue states is for the best. “Honestly, maybe it’s for the best that these migrants are sent to blue states. At least they’ll be cared for,” one person wrote. “California doesn’t [care] about its own homeless population. You really think it’s gonna [care] about immigrants?” another hit back.
Emotions Were High
Some people were highly emotional in their responses. One person, criticizing right-wing Christians and politicians alike, wrote: “I love the smugness of conservatives on this one. ‘Well, we’ll just send them to places where they’re wanted.’ These are human beings. You don’t actually care about sending these people to a better place. You’re using poor and desperate families for political gain and it’s awful. I’ve never been more disgusted at the so-called Christian right. It’s just nothing but pure hatred. There’s absolutely nothing Christ liked about this kind of behavior and you’re not fooling anyone.”
Every State Should Do Its Bit
People called for every state to take on a fair share of asylum seekers. “I don’t see a problem with having all of the states take on an equal number of migrants. Resources are limited and border states should not be disproportionately overburdened just by virtue of being located on the border,” one person wrote. “I agree that the border states should not handle the immigrants by themselves. I also agree that all states should get their share of immigrants to handle. But Texas is only bussing the immigrants to Democrat states like California [and] New York. Why are they not bussing immigrants to Montana, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, or Alabama?” another responded.
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