Mayor Adams' Statement on Governor Abbott's Decision to Resume Busing of Asylum Seekers to Five Democratic Cities With Black Mayors

May 1, 2023

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after it was reported that Texas Governor Greg Abbott would resume the uncoordinated and involuntary bussing of asylum seekers to New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., as well as begin bussing migrants to Los Angeles and Denver — five cities run by Black Democrats:

“This weekend, we learned that Governor Abbott is once again deciding to play politics with people's lives by resuming the busing of asylum seekers to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Not only is this behavior morally bankrupt and devoid of any concern for the well-being of asylum seekers, but it is also impossible to ignore the fact that Abbott is now targeting five cities run by Black mayors. Put plainly, Abbott is using this crisis to hurt Black-run cities. 

“Last year, Abbott bussed migrants to New York against their will, reportedly had security guards hold them hostage on busses when they tried to get off in other cities, shipped them off while sick and COVID positive, and tagged individuals with barcodes.

“Despite Abbott’s inhumane actions, New York City will continue to do all it can to handle this influx, but this crisis is more than one city can handle. With a vacuum of leadership from border states, we need the federal government to step in and provide us with support and to prevent this cruelty from continuing.”

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