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New York City spent about $50,000 over a one-year period to resettle dozens of migrants in various parts of the US — including Florida and Texas — and in other countries, including South American countries and even China.
The city spent $50,000 between April 2022 and April 2023 to resettle 114 migrant 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 migrant transportation programs is neither new nor hidden. The city announced in September the creation of Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers, which will provide services to migrants, including “establishment opportunities” through family connections both inside and outside the Big Apple.
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“We found that people had other destinations, but they were forced to come to New York City on their own, and we help 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 here for them as they continue to pursue this dream.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams listens to Governor Kathy Hochul deliver her State of the State address in the Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol in Albany, New York on January 10, 2023. Adams announced a new program on Monday aimed at housing asylum seekers in faith-based shelters. (AP/Hans Pennink)
But Politico’s data comes after Adams and other Democratic leaders in the US hammered Florida and Texas governors for their resettlement programs that transport migrants to so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions such as New York City, Washington DC and California.
Critics have denounced Republican governors for what they say is arming immigrants as part of a political stunt and have accused them of tricking migrants into getting them onto the transports against their will. Governors have rejected those claims, saying the shipments are voluntary.
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In a statement to Politicoa spokesman for Texas Governor Abbott noted recent comments by Adams calling migrant bus transportation “morally bankrupt.”
“Where is all the outrage and condemnation from the White House and Democrats for any of them sending migrants out of the city, out of the state, and even out of the country?” Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said.
But NYC officials dismissed the comparison, saying the tickets purchased are not part of a chartered service, unlike what Texas does, and that the city buses carry migrants to other parts of New York state. Officials have also cited instances of people being sent to NYC who didn’t want to be there.
“The governor of Texas chartered buses to New York City and placed asylum seekers, many of whom did NOT want to come here, on multi-day trips with no food, limited water, few restroom breaks, and no medical care,” said a city hall spokesperson. told Fox News Digital.
“Our teams meeting buses cared for people who were dehydrated and malnourished and in many cases said they didn’t want to come to New York City. We heard reports from asylum seekers labeled with barcodes, couldn’t get off the bus during the journey, and were forced to sign papers they didn’t fully understand. In contrast, New York City, as we’ve been discussing publicly for months, has been working to connect individuals with friends, family, and networks both in New York City and beyond. We don’t force people to leave, we don’t suggest or recommend locations, and we don’t present a false choice. We help people who want to reconnect with loved ones or communities to do so.”
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But the controversy ties in with the ongoing debate over the transportation of migrants and the ethics involved. Border states like Texas have argued that they need to protect their communities from a historic influx of migrants and feel justified in sending them to jurisdictions that demand policies they believe have encouraged the crisis.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently defended his shipments to California after Governor Gavin Newsom and other California officials accused his state of “kidnapping” migrants.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott looks on at a March 15, 2023 press conference in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“These jurisdictions are part of the reason we have this problem, because they’ve endorsed and agitated for this kind of open border policy,” DeSantis said. “They’ve bragged that they’re jurisdictions.”
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“I don’t think we should have all of this. But if there’s a policy to have an open border, then I think the sanctuary jurisdictions should be the ones to carry that,” he said. “We’re not a Florida refuge.”
Figures released last week by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) showed that more than 204,000 migrants were encountered at the southern border in May alone, bringing the total number of encounters 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.
He can be reached at adam.shaw2@fox.com or at Twitter.
