LA Mayor Karen Bass slams Texas Gov. Greg Abbot for sending bus of migrants to the city as Tropical Storm Hilary caused widespread chaos: ‘It’s evil to endanger their lives’
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has attacked the Texas governor for sending a bus of migrants into the city as Tropical Storm Hilary caused widespread chaos.
The bus carrying nearly 40 migrants, including families and young children, left Brownsville, Texas, arriving at LA’s Union Station at 6:45 p.m. Monday, amid torrential downpours and hurricane warnings.
Bass called Greg Abbott’s act “despicable” and “evil”, while other charities and migrant centers reviled him for using the asylum seekers as “political pawns”.
Abbott regularly sends migrants arriving in his state from the U.S.-Mexico border on buses destined for Democrat-led cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC.
Mayor Karen Bass issued the following statement: “It is evil to endanger the lives of vulnerable migrants by sending a bus with families and toddlers on board to a city that was experiencing an unprecedented tropical storm warning at the time.
Karen Bass called Greg Abbott’s act “despicable” and “evil”, while other charities and migrant centers decried him for using the asylum seekers as “political pawns”.
Abbott regularly sends migrants arriving in his state from the U.S.-Mexico border on buses destined for Democrat-led cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC.
“While I joined with state and local leaders in warning Angelenos to stay safe and brace for the worst of the coming storm, the Texas governor sent families and toddlers straight at us on a path through extreme weather.
“If anyone understands the danger of hurricanes and thunderstorms, it’s the governor of Texas who faces this threat every year.
“This is a despicable act beyond politics.”
She then added on Twitter, “Tonight Los Angeles received another bus from Texas. That means while we were urging Angelenos to stay safe, the governor of Texas sent a bus full of families and toddlers right at us, KNOWING they would have to drive straight into an unprecedented storm. Evil.’
Storm Hilary is the first tropical storm in 84 years to hit Southern California.
According to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, there were 37 asylum seekers on the most recent bus. Twenty came from Venezuela – and others came from Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Belize and Honduras.
The CHIRLA said in a statement: “Migrants were immediately taken to a reception center in Chinatown where they were provided with urgent humanitarian assistance, including food, clothing, hygiene kits, health checks and immigration-specific legal guidance.
The Collective also facilitated reunions with family members, loved ones and sponsors living in the region.
Migrants arrive at LA’s Union Station in July 2023. This is the ninth time Abbott has brought migrants to Los Angeles
During a tropical storm, a person is rescued from a car
The aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary pictured in Palm Springs, CA
“The Welcomes Collective was surprised and disheartened to learn that Texas officials had given the go-ahead to send this bus to LA knowing that the state, county and city had declared Los Angeles an emergency zone amid the threat of the Hurricane Hilary. .
“This arrival marks the ninth bus of asylum seekers to be sent from Texas to Los Angeles.”
Angelica Salas, Executive Director of CHIRLA, said: “To endanger a bus full of women, men and children is not only irresponsible, it is reprehensible. It shows a complete and utter lack of common humanity.
“These migrants have followed increasingly restrictive rules and sought asylum at a port of entry.
“They have spoken with US officials who have conducted a preliminary analysis of their case and determined that these individuals have the basis for a credible asylum claim.
“It is plain wrong to then recklessly send these people into what is effectively the eye of a hurricane.”
Martha Arevalo, Executive Director of CARECEN, added: “As part of the LA Welcomes Collective, CARECEN continues its commitment to welcoming migrants with dignity and respect.
Los Angeles County Public Health Emergency Operations officials leave the Croatian Catholic Church of St. Anthony after evaluating newly arrived migrants to be housed in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 14, 2023
A homeless man evacuates the area around his tent after Tropical Storm Hilary floods the homeless camp where he lives on August 22, 2023 in Cathedral City, California
“This bus comes just a few hours after Southern California was hit by Tropical Storm Hilary, the first of its kind in decades.
It is an irresponsible political game by Texas officials to send vulnerable migrants and families to an emergency zone.
“We strongly condemn all actions that endanger migrants and refugees, and urge for dignified and welcome protection and policies at all levels of government.”
Kimberley Plotnik, program director of the Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project said, “Migrants arriving in Los Angeles are people—not political pawns.
“They need our compassion and support — not to be caught in the middle of a hurricane. Sending people to an emergency zone is just a disgrace.
“Rain or shine, Esperanza will continue to stand up for migrants in our community.”
Multiple rescue missions were launched in affected areas as the fierce storms on Monday toppled trees, flooded roads and left residents stranded by mudslides and newly formed waterways.
In Culver City, California, the Flood caused a deep waterway in the Ballona Creek to overflow, while the metro was pummeled by more than 3 inches (9.5 cm) of rain.
As the storms stretched into Nevada, dramatic images showed the normally burnt-out desert in Death Valley marked by mudslides and rivers after it was hit by a year of rain in less than 24 hours.
Further inland, thunderstorms and further heavy downpours are expected on Tuesday as much of California’s southwest coast is devastated and officials scramble to provide relief for stranded residents.