Texas has started flying out migrants to sanctuary cities in other parts of the United States, with the first flight heading to Chicago and bringing more than 100 people onboard.
The first flight was expected to arrive in Chicago on Tuesday evening and marks an escalation of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's efforts to move migrants out of the state to ease pressure on the border region.
Texas Flies Migrants Out to Sanctuary Cities
It was said that the first flight left El Paso, Texas, on Tuesday afternoon carrying 120 migrants and arrived at Chicago's O'Hare Airport later that day. Sources in Abbott's office said that all the migrants onboard the flight signed voluntary waivers, as they do when they are transported via buses.
The decision to fly the migrants out was made partially in response to Chicago's interference of the buses that were traveling to the sanctuary city. The city's officials have filed lawsuits against companies that were bringing the migrants into the region, as per Fox News.
Abbott's latest move is seen as an escalation of his previous strategy that has been in place since April 2022. That was when he started ordering the bussing of migrants, the first of which went to Washington, DC, and it was later expanded to include other US cities that have "sanctuary" policies that forbid or limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
This week, the Texas governor's office said the state has already bussed more than 82,900 migrants to cities, including Washington, DC, New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Abbott noted that the operation provides a "vital relief" to border towns and has promised to continue doing it until "Biden secures the border." On the other hand, critics have slammed the Texas governor for performing what they call an "illegal" political stunt.
Last week, Chicago's city council voted to toughen penalties on bus operators who do not unload passengers at a designated arrival location or fill out city paperwork. According to the Washington Post, the city has argued that operators started trying to drop people off in neighboring cities to avoid penalties that include fines, towing, or impoundment.
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Migrant Surge
Furthermore, many have expressed concerns about the living conditions and medical care provided for asylum-seekers who arrived in Chicago. This was spotlighted by the death over the weekend of a five-year-old boy who lived at a temporary shelter for migrants.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office did not immediately reply to a request for comment regarding the flights from Texas. In a statement, Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said that the decision was made due to Johnson not living up to his city's "Welcoming City" ordinance and "targeting migrant buses from Texas."
The first flight from Texas to Chicago is also seen as Abbott's escalating efforts to damage Biden's chances for re-election and divide Democratic voters. The immigrants have come into the country seeking asylum after escaping economic collapse and political instability.
When the plane landed without warning to Chicago officials, airport authorities called the Chicago Police Department. Records linked the aircraft's tail number to the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said WTTW.
