Adams: GOP governors' migrant relocation 'inhumane and un-American'

Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday called efforts by Republican governors in Arizona, Florida and Texas to send migrants to New York City and other Democratic Party-led communities “inhumane and anti-American.” 

Appearing on MSNBC, Adams said migrants who arrived in New York City were given “misinformation” before traveling from Texas.

“Some of them were dealing with COVID issues. Some test positive for COVID. Lack of food, dehydrated, no medical care. Many wanted to go to other destinations and they were not allowed to do so,” Adams said in and interview with host Jonathan Capeheart. “Instead, they were placed on a bus to New York and basically told to get out of Dodge in 24 to 48 hours. That is unacceptable.” 

When Capeheart asked the mayor to sum up the governors' actions, Adams answered: "inhumane and un-American."

Adams was referring to the efforts of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. In recent months, Abbott and Ducey have sent thousands of migrants on buses to New York, Chicago and Washington D.C. One busload of immigrants from Texas dropped off outside the U.S. Naval Observatory, the Washington D.C. residence of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Last week, DeSantis created a political firestorm by using taxpayer money to fly migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusett. DeSantis said the flights to Martha’s Vineyard were part of an effort to “transport illegal immigrants to sanctuary destinations.” 

Abbott has asserted that President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is not securing the border, and since cities like New York and Washington, D.C., say they welcome immigrants regardless of legal status, he is sending them there — and those cities can foot the bill for assisting them.

Speaking later on WCBS' "The Point with Marcia Kramer," Adams said more than 11,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in New York to date, with more than 8,500 living in city shelters. Six or eight buses may arrive in New York on Sunday, Adams said.

"We believe there are some options we have," Adams said, "because when you involuntarily place someone on a bus, we believe that actually skates the law."

Adams told Capehart he reached out to Abbott after the Texas governor began sending migrants to New York and other northern cities, the mayor said, to coordinate resources to assist in their relocation.

"They should have coordinated with every city and state that the buses are passing through. They gave indications that they would and they did not. They never coordinated, they continued to send the buses,” he said. 

Abbott’s press office did not return a call for comment. 

Adams said an additional six buses arrived from Texas to New York on Saturday night. 

“That is not how you end a crisis. You end a crisis through coordination,” Adams said. 

With AP