AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the first group of unlawful migrants bused to Washington, D.C., has arrived at its destination.
According to his press office, the busing strategy is part of Abbott's response to the Biden Administration's decision to end Title 42 expulsions. Abbott said last week the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is projecting as many as 18,000 migrant apprehensions per day upon the end of Title 42 expulsions.
This prediction would indicate over half a million illegal border crossings per month.
The passengers, the release said, were dropped off between Union Station and the United States Capitol.
The release said a second bus is currently en route to Washington, D.C.
"As the federal government continues to turn a blind eye to the border crisis, the State of Texas will remain steadfast in our efforts to fill in the gaps and keep Texans safe," Abbott said in the release. "By busing migrants to Washington, D.C., the Biden Administration will be able to more immediately meet the needs of the people they are allowing to cross our border. Texas should not have to bear the burden of the Biden Administration’s failure to secure our border."
Last week, Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to charter buses to transport migrants from Texas to Washington, D.C. The first bus was filled with migrants from Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
At the press conference, Abbott said Texas will continue to evaluate the threat posed by the end of Title 42 expulsions and announce additional action in the coming weeks to respond to the expected surge in illegal immigration.