NYC mayor wants federal aid after first Texas border bus arrives

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) called for federal assistance on Monday as illegal immigrants continue to arrive at his city, accusing Texas Gov. Greg Abbot (R) of using them as “political pawns to manufacture a crisis.”

The cry for help follows the arrival of the Texas governor’s first migrant bus to New York on Friday, which Adams greeted in person. Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) began sending border arrivals north in April to protest the Biden administration’s inaction on border policy but had only sent buses to Washington D.C. so far.

“[Abbott} used innocent people as political pawns to manufacture a crisis. New Yorkers are stepping up to fix it — that’s our city’s values,” the New York mayor tweeted Sunday.

“But we need the federal government’s help — money, technical assistance and more.”

The mayor did not mention the migrants that the Biden administration has been flying into New York City from the border since August. First reported by the New York Post, planes originating from Texas have been landing at Westchester County Airport, about 30 miles north of NYC. Cameras showed crowds of young people disembarking these flights under the watchful eye of local police, many of whom were later seen being dropped off at a Long Island shelter.

On Friday, Adams also claimed that some migrants wanted to go to other locations but were forced onto the bus to New York.

Abbott said in a statement on Friday that New York City, along with Washington, D.C., was “the ideal destination” for the illegal immigrants, citing their status as “sanctuary cities.”

“I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief,” Abbott added.

In July, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser requested the National Guard’s help with the influx of migrants that had been sent from Texas and Arizona and filling the city's homeless shelters. 

The Pentagon turned down her request, saying it “determined providing this support would negatively impact the readiness” of the DCNG.