Mayor Karen Bass Labels Texas Governor ‘Evil’ for Busing Migrants to Los Angeles Amid Tropical Storm Hilary

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed strong criticism towards Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his decision to bus migrants to the city during the severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Hilary. As the storm posed a significant threat to Southern California, Mayor Bass condemned the Governor’s actions as endangering vulnerable migrants’ lives and called them “evil.”

Unprecedented Storm and Controversial Bus Arrival:

On Sunday, a bus departed from Brownsville, Texas, as Los Angeles residents braced themselves for the dangerous storm. The bus, carrying 37 migrants, including 16 families with 14 children and an infant, arrived at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles on Monday evening. Immigrant rights group, the L.A. Welcomes Collective, confirmed the arrival of the bus.

Mayor Bass’s Disapproval:

In a statement, Mayor Bass highlighted the governor’s insensitivity towards the lives of the migrants. She deemed the decision to send families and toddlers to a city under an unprecedented tropical storm warning as “evil.” While urging Angelenos to stay safe, she criticized Governor Abbott for disregarding the extreme weather conditions and sending vulnerable individuals to Los Angeles.

Awareness of Bus Arrival During Storm Preparations:

Mayor Bass and her team only became aware of the bus when the city’s emergency operations center was activated in response to the storm. With Hilary causing heavy rainfall and posing a high risk of flooding, several local officials declared a state of emergency. Bass added that Governor Abbott, having firsthand experience in dealing with hurricanes, should understand the dangers faced by those impacted.

Lack of Response from Governor Abbott: At the time of writing, Governor Abbott’s office has not responded to queries made by USA TODAY regarding this matter.

Immigrant Rights Group Expresses Concern:

The arrival of this bus marks the ninth time migrants have been sent to Los Angeles. In June, Governor Abbott had defended this decision by citing the city’s “self-declared sanctuary city status.” Responding to criticism, Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, claimed that the migrants willingly chose Los Angeles as their destination and signed consent waivers prior to boarding.

Abbott’s Initiative and Its Controversial Nature:

Governor Abbott’s busing policy forms part of Operation Lone Star, which commenced last year as a response to President Joe Biden’s border policies. The governor argues that the policy provides relief to Texas’ overwhelmed border communities. However, the initiative has generated significant controversy and criticism due to concerns about the humanitarian treatment of migrants and the use of taxpayer funds.

Los Angeles Receiving Site and Support:

Upon arrival, the migrants were taken to a receiving site in Chinatown where they received aid from the L.A. Welcomes Collective. The group ensured that the migrants were provided with food, clothing, hygiene kits, health checkups, and legal orientations specific to immigration matters. Additionally, they facilitated reunions with family members and sponsors in the area. Of the 37 migrants, 20 were from Venezuela, while others originated from Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Ecuador.

Operation Lone Star’s Broader Impact:

The Texas initiative has faced widespread criticism due to its political nature and the perceived use of migrants as pawns. Thousands of migrants have been transported to Democratic-led cities, costing Texan taxpayers over $12 million. Tragically, a 3-year-old child on a migrant bus from Texas to Chicago passed away recently, making it the first reported death since Operation Lone Star began.

Further Measures and Legal Challenges:

Governor Abbott has implemented additional measures as part of Operation Lone Star, such as installing water buoys and miles of razor wire along the Texas-Mexico border. These actions have raised concerns about environmental and humanitarian consequences, resulting in a lawsuit filed by the Biden administration against the state.