Texas begins flying migrants from US-Mexico border to Chicago, with 1st plane carrying 120 people

2024-12-25 22:43:13 source:lotradecoin integration with payment systems category:Finance

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas began flying migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to Chicago on Wednesday, a week after the city took a tougher stance on the buses that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has been sending north since last year.

The first flight of 120 migrants arrived in the afternoon, according to Abbott’s office.

The governor directed state officials to begin busing migrants to Democratic-led cities starting in April 2022. Over 80,000 migrants have since been relocated through the effort as part of the governor’s multi-pronged border security mission, known as Operation Lone Star, including 23,000 to Chicago.

Chicago’s city council voted last week to toughen penalties on bus operators that don’t unload passengers at a designated arrival location or fill out city paperwork. The city has said operators began trying to drop people off in neighboring cities to avoid penalties including fines, towing or impoundment.

Other news Migrant child’s death and other hospitalizations spark concern over shelter conditions Thousands of lights at Chicago Botanic Garden illuminate tunnels, lilies and art Death of 5-year-old boy prompts criticism of Chicago shelters for migrants

Concerns have arisen about the living conditions and medical care provided for asylum-seekers arriving in Chicago, spotlighted by the death last weekend of a 5-year-old boy living at a temporary shelter for migrants.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment about the flights.

Abbot spokesman Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement that the decision to start sending migrants there by plane was made because Johnson is not living up to Chicago’s “Welcoming City” ordinance and “targeting migrant buses from Texas.”

“Until President Biden steps up and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue taking historic action to help our local partners respond to this Biden-made crisis,” Mahaleris said.

Abbott’s multibillion-dollar border effort has also included stringing razor wire along the frontier, installing buoy barriers in the Rio Grande and deploying more officers.

Earlier this week, Abbott signed a measure allowing police to arrest migrants who cross the U.S. border illegally and authorizing local judges to order them out of the country.

More:Finance

Recommend

California judges say they’re underpaid, and their new lawsuit could cost taxpayers millions

California judges make a good living. They earn at least $240,000 and can count on a raise just abou

Hong Kong begins public consultation to implement domestic national security law

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong begun public consultation Tuesday on enacting its own national security l

These images may provide the world's first-ever look at a live newborn great white shark

Great white sharks are among the most notable of the ocean's apex predators, but a crucial part of t