Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has refused to stop the busing of immigrants to Chicago, as requested by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Instead, he asked Lightfoot to redirect her inquiries and requests towards the Biden administration in order for them to change their immigration policy.
Mayor Lightfoot had called the current busing policy "inhumane and dangerous," claiming that Chicago does not have sufficient resources to accommodate any more immigrants. According to Gov. Abbott, over 8,000 immigrants have been sent to Chicago since last August; however, Mayor Lightfoot stated that this number is only a small fraction compared with what Texas receives.
In response to the mayor's request, Gov. Abbott argued against halting Title 42 expulsions – a policy allowing border officials expedited removal of unauthorized migrants due public health concerns amid COVID-19 pandemic – believing it would open "the floodgates" for an increased influx of migrants entering the United States. He emphasized that instead of requesting him halt the busing policy, Lightfoot should urge President Biden towards implementing stricter policies at US borders.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot took issue with some aspects of Gov. Abbott's letter by responding on Twitter: she criticized him for referring asylum seekers as "illegal immigrants."