Abbott rebels against proposal from Biden administration
On September 12, the Republican governor of Texas - Greg Abbott - appeared on Fox News to share his outrage over proposals from the Biden administration, known as the 'Remain in Texas' plan. The proposals would theoretically end Abbott's 'Operation Lone Star' which has been used to spread migrants across the country.
Operation Lone Star has seen thousands of migrants who have crossed the southern border being redistributed to Democrat-led sanctuary states with destinations including New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, but the moves have not been well-received by the leaders of many of those states.
Most recently, the Mayor of New York City - Eric Adams - expressed the opinion that his city was struggling under the burden of so many extra people, and would likely be 'destroyed' by migrants if the moves were to continue.
Abbott spoke in damning terms regarding Biden's plan, stating:
"That policy has been tried in the past and was legally stricken-down. We have a lawsuit ready to go that will eliminate this threat by Joe Biden if he dares to try to pull the trigger on it."
It also emerged on September 12, that another Texas Republican - August Pfluger - had filed an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would prevent any funding being devoted to implementation of the 'Remain in Texas' plan if it were ever approved.
Abbott slammed for lack of humanity
Governor Abbott has certainly received plenty of criticism for how Operation Lone Star has been conducted. While critics have focused on the humanitarian side of it - in treating desperate people as political pawns, bussed around the nation to make a point - there have been some valid points made.
In August, as Los Angeles faced the threat of Storm Hilary, the Mayor of Los Angeles called-out Abbott for his decision to send a busload of migrants to the city, describing the move as "evil".
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also been critical of Abbott for how he governs Texas and the things he focuses most attention upon, including the border crisis. Whether the critics make any impression on Abbott, is unclear. Given his recent remarks, it seems unlikely.
Immigrants transported to Washington, DC
Abbott's efforts to heighten awareness has gone right to the top of the Biden administration, which may explain why the president's team have proposed the 'Remain in Texas' plan.
Efforts by Abbott appear to have been as much about raising awareness of the effects of the border crisis, as about expressing outrage at the perceived lack of action over the issue.
In May, Vice President and 'Border Czar' Kamala Harris attended a Democratic Fundraiser and during her address took the opportunity to comment on the border crisis, describing it in positive terms:
"I hear that everything in the last couple of a days is going rather smoothly."
On the same day that she spoke, another busload of 80 immigrants was transported from the state of Texas where the poor souls had crossed the border, and deposited in Washington, DC, close to the Vice President's home.
It remains to be seen whether the 'Remain in Texas' plan will be progressed by the Biden administration.
Do you think that Governor Abbott is right to focus so much attention on the 'Remain in Texas' plan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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