Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was left fuming after Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott sent a bus of 42 migrants to her city.
Bass described Abbott’s action as “abhorrent” and accused the Texas governor of using the migrants as pawns in his political games.
“This evening, more than 40 people were sent by the Governor of Texas to our City of Los Angeles,” Bass said in a statement. “Shortly after I took office, I directed City Departments to begin planning in the event Los Angeles was on the receiving end of a despicable stunt that Republican Governors have grown so fond of.”
Bass revealed that the migrants’ arrival did not catch her government off guard and that the city’s law enforcement and other agencies had already obtained the migrants’ information.
“Los Angeles is not a city motivated by hate or fear and we absolutely will not be swayed or moved by petty politicians playing with human lives,” Bass added. “We are a city that seeks to treat all people with dignity and compassion and we will continue to work closely with non-profit organizations, including the L.A. Welcomes Collective, as well as with our County, State and Federal partners.”
Bass’ angry outburst comes as a shock as her city officially declared last week that it will become a sanctuary city. The declaration means that a ban on cooperating with federal immigration enforcement will officially be enacted. Before the declaration, the city prided itself as a sanctuary city. That Status was, however, symbolic.
Bass’ fiery response comes after California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom showed a similar reaction when a plane-load of migrants landed in Sacramento without prior warning. The migrants were left at the door of a local church.
Let's level set here.
A governor had to send his taxpayer funded operation to ANOTHER state to find people to use as pawns.
He lied to them. Bussed them to yet another state. Flew them on a taxpayer funded charter flight. Then dumped them on the steps of a catholic charity.… pic.twitter.com/NM2AnJv4tR
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 7, 2023
Newsom threatened kidnapping charges against Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for flying the migrants to Sacramento.
.@RonDeSantis you small, pathetic man.
This isn't Martha's Vineyard.
Kidnapping charges?
Read the following. https://t.co/kvuxe8Fb6F pic.twitter.com/KyE1lJiIYo
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 5, 2023
“My Administration is also working with the California Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances around who paid for the group’s travel and whether the individuals orchestrating this trip misled anyone with false promises or have violated any criminal laws, including kidnapping,” Newsom said.
