Congressman García, Congresswoman Escobar, Congresswoman Ramirez, Joint Statement on Governor Abbott’s Reckless Politicization of Migrant Relocation
EL PASO, TX - CHICAGO, IL — Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement regarding Governor Abbotts’ reckless politicization of migrant relocation efforts:
“We write together, unified in our call for the State of Texas and Governor Greg Abbott to stop politicizing the relocation of migrants and asylum-seekers and take seriously the need to more extensively coordinate efforts between southern border cities, like El Paso, and interior cities, like Chicago.
The situation in border communities like El Paso requires our attention and urgent action. Meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families demands our cooperation. Instead, Governor Abbott has chosen to use this unprecedented moment of global migration to score cheap political points.
Governor Abbott has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not trying to find solutions to the challenges cities like El Paso confront as they welcome new arrivals. If he were seeking solutions, he would foster more effective collaboration and cooperation at landing sites with cities like Chicago. Instead, Governor Abbott insists on sending buses and planes from El Paso to Chicago without complete manifests, to undesignated landing sites, in the cold of Chicago winters. Chicago’s recent ordinances are intended to ensure that those being resettled to Chicago are received at a humane, safe, and warm place at an agreed-upon time. If Governor Abbott took that charge seriously, such ordinances would be unnecessary.
It is Congress’ job to deliver legislative solutions that uphold our values and shared humanity. While we work to that end, it is our collective responsibility to steward the safety of families in our collective care. If Governor Abbott stopped wasting time and resources creating chaos, more could be done to support local partners and share the responsibility of humanely resettling families across our country.”
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