Texas Gov. Abbott announces the first bus of migrants sent to Chicago

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Twitter that the first bus of migrants has now arrived in Chicago.

Chicago is the 3rd city Abbott has bussed migrants to, also having sent many busloads to both Washington and New York.

“First bus of migrants from Texas to sanctuary city Chicago just arrived! Migrants are flooding into our state at a historic rate, thanks to Pres. Biden’s open border policies. Texas will continue busing migrants until the President secures the border,” Abbott tweeted.

Abbott’s office also released an official statement confirming that the migrants had arrived at Union Station in Chicago and the reasons for his stance.

“President Biden’s inaction at our southern border continues putting the lives of Texans – and Americans – at risk and is overwhelming our communities,” Abbott said in a news release. “To continue providing much-needed relief to our small, overrun border towns, Chicago will join fellow sanctuary cities Washington, D.C. and New York City as an additional drop-off location. Mayor (Lori) Lightfoot loves to tout the responsibility of her city to welcome all regardless of legal status, and I look forward to seeing this responsibility in action as these migrants receive resources from a sanctuary city with the capacity to serve them.”

Chicago city officials confirmed that at least 60 migrants have arrived in the city this week. A spokesman for Lori Lightfoot also confirmed they were notified that 60 migrants were en route from Texas.

“Chicago is a welcoming city and as such has collaborated across various departments and agencies to ensure we greeted them with dignity and respect. We understand that many are fleeing violent, traumatic, or otherwise unstable environments,” the statement said in part. “We will respond with essential services while these individuals navigate the next steps of their journey and our community partners have been working diligently to provide a safety net.”

While speaking at Mayor Lori Lightfoot later spoke outside the Salvation Army Freedom Center at 825 W. Chicago Ave. in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, where some of the migrants had arrived. Lightfoot confirmed that her city will ensure the migrants are taken care of.

She also lashed out at Abbott during her speech, saying: “What we see here is who we are as Chicagoans. When we have people come to our city – no matter their country of origin, no matter their circumstances – we all rally together and we stand tall. That’s what we have done. That’s what we will do.”

She added, “But let me also say this – shame on Governor Abbott. What he is doing is immoral, unpatriotic, and it defies the values of who we are as Americans. We can disagree on policy and politics, but you don’t treat people this way. We will, no matter, stand up, but shame on him. He brings a stain upon our nation. This absolutely cannot continue.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s office echoed the comments made by Lightfoot and said that Chicago “welcomes refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants and we are working with federal and city officials to ensure that these individuals are treated with respect and safety as they look to connect with their family and friends.”