U.S. Department of Justice says it’ll sue if Texas enforces new law punishing illegal border crossing
The state has until Jan. 3 to say it won’t arrest people accused of unauthorized entry from Mexico. If not, the Biden administration will sue, saying immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
California, blue state AGs support DOJ in Biden censorship case
The state of California is leading a charge of 23 Democrat-led states arguing the Supreme Court should overturn a “sweeping” decision that banned the government from coordinating with social media companies to censor Americans. In a brief submitted to the high court, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and his blue state colleagues support Biden’s Justice Department in arguing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit’s “sweeping” decision in the case of Missouri v. Biden. That case stems from a lawsuit brought by Republicans in Missouri and Louisiana that accused high-ranking government officials of working with giant social media companies to censor speech on topics that included Hunter Biden’s laptop, COVID-19 origins and the efficacy of face masks. The 5th Circuit ruled administration officials “likely violated” the First Amendment and issued a preliminary injunction banning the government from communicating with big tech platforms about user content. BIDEN AGENCY ‘LIKELY’ VIOLATED FREE SPEECH BY WORKING WITH BIG TECH TO CENSOR ELECTION CONTENT: COURT Bonta argued to the high court that if the decision is upheld it “could chill the ability of government agencies to engage productively with the private sector to protect the public online.” “Social media is a daily source for news and information across the country,” Bonta said in a press release. “The Fifth Circuit’s decision, which blocks virtually any outreach to social media platforms about content moderation by numerous federal government agencies and officials, is extraordinarily sweeping and threatens efforts to address threats to public health and safety.” FBI MET WEEKLY WITH BIG TECH AHEAD OF THE 2020 ELECTION, AGENT TESTIFIES Judge Terry A. Doughty ruled in a July 4 order that if the allegations made by the Republican AGs were true, “the present case arguably involves the most massive attack against free speech in United States’ history. “In their attempts to suppress alleged disinformation, the Federal Government, and particularly the Defendants named here, are alleged to have blatantly ignored the First Amendment’s right to free speech,” Doughty said. BIDEN DOJ TO FIGHT COURT ORDER THAT BLOCKED FEDS FROM COLLUDING WITH BIG TECH TO CENSOR SPEECH But Bonta and his colleagues argued that “maintaining open lines of communication between the government and social-media companies on topics such as extremist violence, child safety, and consumer protection is mutually beneficial, furthers the public interest, and fully comports with the First Amendment.” The AGs argued the 5th Circuit’s decision didn’t properly assess how helpful the government can be to social media platforms in addressing consumer fraud schemes and other related concerns. They also argue that collaborating with the platforms to protect children from online harms is a vital practice.
US-Mexico migration talks included benefits of ‘regularizing’ illegal immigrants living in US
A meeting this week between top U.S. and Mexican officials to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis included talks about “regularizing” illegal immigrants living in the United States, officials said on Thursday – quickly sparking a furious reaction from House Republicans, who called it “unconscionable.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas were among the officials in the U.S. delegation to Mexico City and met with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday. The meeting came amid a historic crisis at the border, with December on track to shatter records for migrant encounters. In the joint statement, the countries affirmed their commitments to “orderly, humane and regular migration” and stressed their efforts to tackle “root causes” of migration, disrupt human smuggling and promote private investment while also investing in “ambitious development programs” in the region. LIBERAL MAYORS PUSH BIDEN FOR EMERGENCY DECLARATION, ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DEAL WITH MIGRANT CRISIS But the statement also said that officials discussed the “benefits” of granting some form of legal status for illegal immigrants already in the U.S., including those protected by the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — an executive order signed by President Barack Obama, which shielded some illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as minors. “The delegations also discussed the benefits of regularizing the situation of Hispanic migrants who have been undocumented for several years and the DACA beneficiaries, who are a vital part of the US economy and society,” the joint statement said, adding that the delegations will meet again in January. The Biden administration has previously called for a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. when it unveiled its sweeping immigration reform legislation in 2021. The package failed to pick up Republican support, in part due to the inclusion of the amnesty, but the administration has continued to promote it as a solution to the ongoing migrant crisis. In a statement on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed the talk of legalization in the meeting. “At a time when America is experiencing the worst border crisis in our nation’s history, it is unconscionable to hear the Biden Administration’s announcement that Secretaries Mayorkas and Blinken discussed with the President of Mexico amnesty for illegal immigrants,” he said. “The United States must focus on policies that deter — not attract — people attempting to come here illegally, and the smugglers who profit from the catastrophe at our border.” “This development further demonstrates the Administration has no real intention of solving the humanitarian disaster and immediate national security crisis their policies have created. President Biden needs to stop vacationing and take immediate steps to stop the flow of illegal immigration into our country. Our nation’s security and sovereignty depend upon it, and the American people demand it,” he said. With the raging crisis at the southern border, attention in Washington has largely turned to increasing restrictions on asylum. The Biden administration, which has touted its efforts in tackling root causes and expanding “lawful pathways” has also said it is increasing “consequences” for illegal entry, including additional use of expedited removal and a new asylum rule restricting some claims. MIGRANT CRISIS INCREASING STRAIN ON BORDER OFFICIALS, IMMIGRATION COURTS WITH MASSIVE NUMBERS The administration has also requested $14 billion for border funding as part of its supplemental funding request to Congress. Republicans have demanded that the package include restrictions on the use of humanitarian parole and stricter asylum standards — something the administration has reportedly been open to, but which has met with resistance from some Democrats. Some Senate Democrats have previously said that any policy changes at the border would have to be accompanied by a legal pathway for illegal immigrants — although such a demand would likely be a non-starter for many Republicans. NOVEMBER SAW NEARLY QUARTER OF A MILLION MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AMID NEW BORDER SURGE Meanwhile, Fox News reported this week that during the four-day Christmas weekend, there were more than 35,000 migrant encounters, and since December 1, there have been over 250,000 migrant encounters at the southern border — meaning December could break the monthly record for encounters set in September (269,735). It comes at the end of a record-setting 2023, which has seen records for daily and monthly migrant encounters broken multiple times. Another migrant caravan including thousands of migrants has also been making its way through southern Mexico. Fox News’ Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics: Haley’s Civil War fallout
Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. What’s Happening? -Rep. Tlaib calls Israeli PM Netanyahu a ‘genocidal maniac’ -Chris Christie launches first major ad blitz against Trump -Liberal mayors call for national emergency to combat migrant crisis Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley caught heat from both sides of the political aisle after she declined to mention slavery reason U.S. Civil War. At a town hall Wednesday, the former U.N. ambassador was asked what about “the cause” of the Civil War, to which she joked: “Well, don’t come with an easy question or anything.” “I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run — the freedoms and what people could and couldn’t do,” she continued in part. The questioner expressed shock that Haley didn’t mention slavery in her answer, and clips of the exchange began circulating widely. President Biden’s X account ridiculed Haley, and fellow presidential contender Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign picked up on it as well. On Thursday, Haley suggested that the question came from an unfriendly “Democratic plant,” since the questioner declined to give his name. She also defended her comments, and said that everyone knows the cause of the Civil War was slavery. “Everybody thinks that the Civil War was about slavery,” Haley told Fox News during a press gaggle after a campaign event Thursday. She added that as former governor of South Carolina who helped take the Confederate flag from the state capitol, she is well aware of history. “But for us to move forward as a country, what’s the lesson? And the lesson is every person deserves freedom and we have to always fight for it every single day,” Haley said. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton jumped into the fray with a take of his own: “The Civil War started because the American people elected an anti-slavery Republican as president and Democrats revolted rather than accept minor restrictions on the expansion of slavery to the western territories,” he said on X. ‘ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING’: Biden declared an all-out war on home appliances in 2023 …Read more MORE AID: U.S. to send $250 million to aid Ukraine, warning that Congress would have to approve any additional funds …Read more ‘NOT DOING ENOUGH’: Dem lawmaker calls out Biden administration for listening to immigration activists more than border communities …Read more SWATTED: MTG pledges crackdown on ‘swatting’ hoax as GOP senator becomes latest target …Read more VANDALISM: Democrat Ritchie Torres speaks out after anti-Israel activists leave bloody baby Jesus doll outside his office …Read more ON THE BALLOT: Colorado GOP includes Trump on 2024 ballot following Supreme Court appeal …Read more PUSHING BACK: Chris Christie takes aim at Trump in first major ad blitz of 2024 campaign …Read more GREENER PASTURES: Colorado congresswoman moves to run in district being vacated by Rep. Ken Buck …Read more ANOTHER ONE: Georgia lawmaker appointed to judgeship, triggering special election for House seat …Read more JUMPING SHIP: Democrats switch over to Republican Party in key swing state …Read more ‘IT BAFFLES ME’: NYC mayor getting silent treatment from Biden over migrant crisis …Read more NEVER MET HIM: James Carville responds to Fetterman insults about his relevancy …Read more ‘FIGHTING TERRORISM’: Former MSNBC host decries ‘rural rage’ …Read more HOLLYWOOD DIVIDED: The celebs who faced backlash for controversial takes on Israel-Hamas War …Read more FRACTURED POINTS OF VIEW: How the Israel-Hamas war divided and inflamed newsrooms in 2023 …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Riley Gaines puts heat on Republican Ohio governor to sign ban on transgender surgery for minors
Former college swimming star Riley Gaines called out the Republican governor of Ohio over a lack of action on a bill that would ban gender-reassignment treatment for minors. “Governor [Mike] DeWine of Ohio has had the SAFE Act (protects women’s sports & child mutilation) on his desk to sign into effect since the 15th,” the Independent Women’s Forum ambassador wrote Wednesday. “He hasn’t signed it yet. He has 2 more days to sign before it becomes law without his signature. Why the hesitation, [Governor DeWine]?” PROTESTERS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER VANDALIZING TABLE AT RILEY GAINES’ SPEECH AT PENN STATE The Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act passed Ohio’s GOP-dominated state legislature this month. It would stop doctors from prescribing gender-altering treatment to or performing sex reassignment surgeries on minors. The bill also bans transgender women and girls from participating in female sports leagues. DeWine’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Gaines’ statement from Fox News Digital. PROFESSOR APPEARS TO TAKE SHOT AT RILEY GAINES IN MESSAGE TO STUDENTS BEFORE PENN STATE EVENT Speaking to local outlet WKYC after the bill passed, DeWine called the debate over transgender youth a “very contentious issue” and said, “Other states have dealt with this issue as well, but ultimately, my decision will be based on one thing – and that is what I think is in the best interest of the children that will be impacted by this law.” According to Ohio state law, DeWine has until Friday to decide whether to sign or veto the bill, otherwise it automatically becomes law on its own. TRANS INCLUSION IN WOMEN’S SPORTS BECOMES HOTTER TOPIC IN 2023 Laws or policies banning gender transition-related health care for minors have passed in 22 states as of November 2023, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Court injunctions are preventing that from going into effect in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Indiana. Gaines became a national-level activist on the issue after facing transgender UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA championships. She also testified at the Ohio State House in November in favor of the SAFE Act.
Colorado to include Trump on 2024 primary ballot as state GOP appeals to Supreme Court
The Colorado secretary of state will include former President Donald Trump on the 2024 Colorado primary ballot after Republicans filed an appeal to the Supreme Court. On Wednesday, the Colorado GOP filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court after the state Supreme Court’s decision to remove Trump from the primary ballot. Following the appeal, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced that she will include Trump on the primary ballot on the January 5 certification deadline, unless the U.S. Supreme Court affirms the lower court’s ruling or declines to take up the case. COLORADO GOP ASKING US SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN RULING DISQUALIFYING TRUMP FROM 2024 BALLOT “Donald Trump engaged in insurrection and was disqualified under the Constitution from the Colorado Ballot,” Griswold said in a press release. “The Colorado Supreme Court got it right. This decision is now being appealed,” she continued. “I urge the U.S. Supreme Court to act quickly given the upcoming presidential primary election.” Trump’s inclusion on the ballot creates an unprecedented situation for the U.S. Supreme Court amid two dueling rulings — the controversial Colorado ruling and the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling batting down an attempt to remove Trump from the primary ballot there. The Colorado Supreme Court stayed its ruling until January 4 to allow time for an appeal to its decision. The two states’ contradicting rulings will likely spur the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case, which will set the legal precedent for the rest of the country. The U.S. Supreme Court has a ticking political time bomb on its hands: the body will have to decide the case before Super Tuesday, March 5. The deadline, however, comes with a few wrinkles. According to Griswold’s press release, the deadline for 2024 primary ballots to be sent out to military voters is January 20. Additionally, February 12 is the first day that ballots will be mailed out to voters, and at the end of the month, on February 26, the first day of primary voting takes place. It is unclear what would happen to any released ballots if the U.S. Supreme Court declines the appeal or doesn’t take up the case after they are sent out. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Colorado GOP for comment. Earlier this month, the Colorado Supreme Court, in a 4-3 vote, overturned a lower court ruling that allowed Trump to appear on the ballot as a presidential candidate. The initial ruling said a president is not among the officials subject to disqualification on a ballot. On December 19, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Trump is ineligible to appear on the primary ballot due to the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Colorado Supreme Court simultaneously stayed that ruling until January 4, with that stay remaining in place in the event of an appeal. “By excluding President Trump from the ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court engaged in an unprecedented disregard for the First Amendment right of political parties to select the candidates of their choice and a usurpation of the rights of the people to choose their elected officials,” attorneys for the state Republican party wrote in a petition after the December 19 ruling. Fox News Digital’s Kerri Kupec and Louis Casiano contributed reporting.
Georgia lawmaker appointed to judgeship, triggering special election for House seat
A prominent Georgia state lawmaker was appointed Wednesday to a judgeship, and a special election for his House seat will be needed in coming months. Rep. Barry Fleming of Harlem will serve as a superior court judge in Columbia County, replacing Judge James Blanchard Jr., who retired, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a news release. Fleming will be sworn in on Jan. 10, said Kemp spokesperson Garrison Douglas. Kemp chooses judges from lists of candidates prepared by the Judicial Nominating Commission, whose members are appointed by the governor. Fleming lost a race for House speaker to Jon Burns in 2022. He’s been most recognized in recent years for leading the committee that authored a new election law in 2021 which restricted voting by mail and gave the legislature greater control over how elections are run. But House Speaker David Ralston stripped Fleming of his chairmanship after Fleming unsuccessfully ran for whip later in 2021. He was seen as a more right-wing alternative to Burns and Ralston. His law practice, which has represented municipalities and counties around the city of Augusta, became a target of protests after the 2021 election law was enacted. Fleming had previously served as whip starting in 2004, when Republicans took control of the chamber for the first time in more than 100 years. Among his other achievements then were passing a law requiring voters to show photo identification. Fleming stepped down to run an unsuccessful congressional race in 2008, but won reelection to the state House in 2012 and has served since. Kemp must call a special election within 10 days of Fleming stepping down. That election must occur no sooner than 30 days and no later than 60 days after Kemp issues the call. That means the election could be timed to coincide with Georgia’s March 12 presidential primary. Fleming’s 125th House District includes parts of Columbia and McDuffie counties. Kemp on Wednesday also named Alison Sosebee as a superior court judge for Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties in north Georgia’s Appalachian Judicial Circuit. Sosebee has been the district attorney in that circuit since 2013. She will replace Judge John Worcester, who died in August. The governor named Mark Hendrix, solicitor general in Liberty County, to a newly created judgeship in the coastal Atlantic Circuit. That circuit covers Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Tattnall counties.
MTG to introduce bill targeting ‘swatters’ as Rick Scott becomes latest target
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is pledging to fight for harsher penalties for people who falsely call emergency services to someone’s home or another specific location, a prank known as “swatting.” Greene, who has been a victim of the move multiple times herself, announced on X that a relative of hers had been swatted on Wednesday night. “The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house,” she wrote. “I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.” FBI INVESTIGATING RECORD NUMBER OF SWATTING INCIDENTS AGAINST JEWISH INSTITUTIONS; APPEAR TO BE COORDINATED Hours later, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., announced Thursday morning that his home had been swatted. Scott said he and his wife were not home at the time. “Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards ‘swatted’ my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family,” Scott wrote on X. ‘GRAND THEFT AUTO 5’ ACTOR VICTIM OF PRANK CALL DURING LIVESTREAM: ‘NOW THESE A–HOLES HAVE SWATTED MY HOUSE’ It’s the latest in a recent spate of incidents targeting Republican politicians. Both Greene and Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., said they were swatted on Christmas Day. “Our home was swatted this afternoon. Thanks to the Deputies and Troopers who contacted me before arriving. They left with homemade cookies and spiced nuts! Merry Christmas everyone!” Williams wrote. Greene wrote on the platform, “I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here.” HOUSE LEAVES FOR THE YEAR WITH CRITICAL BATTLES STILL ON HORIZON “My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this. I appreciate them so much and my family and I are in joyous spirits celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!” she added. Scott’s office declined to comment on Greene’s legislative proposal. Fox News Digital also reached out to Williams’ office about Greene’s plan to introduce a bill to crack down on swatting. NEW POLL REVEALS AMERICA’S LEAST FAVORITE LEADER IN CONGRESS WITH SHOCKING SINGLE-DIGIT APPROVAL Swatting, which is illegal, is used to target specific individuals or locations. A caller reports a false incident, such as a home killing or bomb threat, to emergency dispatchers with the goal of getting armed officers on high alert to respond. It’s also a practice that’s grown more frequent as information such as people’s private home addresses becomes easier to obtain on social media.
Biden administration to send Ukraine last batch of aid as US depletes available funds
The Biden administration announced it will send $250 million to Ukraine to aid in its continued war against Russia that began in February 2022. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State said the package would mark the final distribution of assistance to the Eastern European nation without lawmakers’ approval. “A coalition of more than 50 countries continues to provide critical support for Ukraine’s forces,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. “It is imperative that Congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future.” The administration has been pressing Congress to approve the multibillion-dollar national security supplemental package initially requested in October. However, Republican lawmakers have linked the $60 billion additional aid to Ukraine with changes in border security policies as a prerequisite for its passage. SCHUMER AND MCCONNELL VOW TO TAKE ‘SWIFT ACTION’ ON SUPPLEMENTAL PACKAGE EARLY NEXT YEAR The package provides military equipment like air defense weapons, artillery ammo, anti-armor gear, and over 15 million rounds of ammunition. “Once these funds are obligated, the Department will have exhausted the funding available to us for security assistance to Ukraine,” Defense Department comptroller Mike McCord wrote in a letter, first obtained by Bloomberg News, to Congress’s defense committees last week. “It is essential that Congress act without delay on the Administration’s pending supplemental request,” the letter read. “Doing so is in our clear national interest, and our assistance is vitally needed so Ukraine can continue its fight for freedom and to ensure Russia continues to fail in Ukraine.” LAWMAKERS UNLIKELY TO ADVANCE BORDER SECURITY, UKRAINE FUNDING LEGISLATION BEFORE CHRISTMAS The federal government has sent upward of $100 billion to aid Ukraine since the Russian invasion started, with more than $46 billion earmarked for military assistance. The $250 million in aid is categorized under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to allocate or transfer defense resources, such as weapons, ammunition, or training, from existing U.S. military stocks to other nations without needing to seek congressional approval for each transfer. According to the most recent Fox News Poll, a majority of 54% favors sending financial aid to Ukraine, down nine points since January when 63% backed it. The downward shift in support comes mainly from Republicans — just 35% favor continuing aid to Ukraine, down from 51% in January. FOX NEWS POLL: SUPPORT FOR HELPING UKRAINE FADING Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report.
Liberal mayors push Biden for emergency declaration, additional funding to deal with migrant crisis
A coalition of liberal mayors renewed calls for the federal government to declare a federal emergency over the ongoing migrant crisis that has reached their cities and left them overwhelmed and out of capacity to shelter further arrivals. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston held a virtual press conference calling for more action from the federal government. “As temperatures drop in New York City, Chicago, Denver and other impacted cities, we are calling for the federal declaration of emergency, financial support and a national resettlement strategy,” Adams said. ADAMS SLAPS RESTRICTIONS ON MIGRANT BUSES COMING TO NYC FROM TEXAS AS NUMBERS RISE “Our cities have reached a point where we are either close to capacity or nearly out of room without significant intervention from the federal government,” Johnson said. “This mission will not be sustained.” Johnston, meanwhile, said that migrants getting court dates are receiving them as late as 2027, while they cannot work in many cases as they wait for work authorization. He emphasized the need for expedited work permits, and also stressed the financial situation Denver is facing. “We’re looking at about $160 million of potential costs going into next year’s budget. That’s almost 10% of our entire city budget. That’s a massive impact for us,” the Denver mayor said. The coalition has previously called for an additional $5 billion in help from the federal government. The White House has requested around $1.4 billion for help for communities across the country in its supplemental funding request, but that is being held up in Congress amid calls for more asylum limits from Republicans. The mayors have repeatedly hammered the administration over the crisis as they face their own political pressures at home. Adams recently slashed budgets for education and policing in order to cope with the costs of the crisis, and has warned it could “destroy” the city if it continues. New York City says it has received over 160,000 migrants since last year. MIGRANT CRISIS INCREASING STRAIN ON BORDER OFFICIALS, IMMIGRATION COURTS WITH MASSIVE NUMBERS The administration has pointed to actions it has taken to help communities, including more than $1 billion in grant funding, as well as additional efforts to give migrants work permits and speed up asylum requests. “This year, the Biden-Harris Administration, in collaboration with the states and cities across the country, launched a one-stop-shop work authorization and Temporary Protected Status clinics to help eligible non-citizens get work permits and decompress the respective shelter systems. To date, these clinics have served approximately 10,000 individuals and thanks to USCIS’ efforts, the median processing time for work permit applications is 30 days,” a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday. “President Biden is committed to addressing this problem, that’s why he submitted a supplemental funding request to Congress which includes additional resources to secure the border with more law enforcement, more grant funding for jurisdictions hosting migrants, and funding to accelerate the processing of work permits for eligible noncitizens,” the spokesperson said. The mayors also took aim at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has bussed and transported tens of thousands of migrants to their cities since last year. Adams announced a new executive order limiting buses to certain time of the day and arrival points, while also requiring buses to give 32 hours’ notice. TEXAS MIGRANT FLIGHT HEADING TO NEW YORK CITY DIVERTED TO PHILADELPHIA “I’m proud to be here with my fellow mayors to call on the federal government to do their part with one voice and to tell Texas Gov. Abbott to stop the games and use of migrants as political pawns,” Adams said. But Abbott has hit back at the criticism he has faced, saying he is transporting migrants to cities that tout their “sanctuary” status, and is doing so to relieve overwhelmed border communities. In the last week, he has begun flying migrants to both Chicago and New York City. “The hypocrisy of Mayor Adams is astounding. Mayor Adams had touted New York City’s self-declared sanctuary city status, then sent his own buses of migrants out to small towns in New York. Texas has only transported about 32,000 migrants to New York City, while President Biden has been flying planeloads of migrants all around the country and oftentimes in the cover of night,” spokesperson Renae Eze said. “With millions of residents, New York is only dealing with a fraction of what our small border communities deal with on a day-to-day basis,” she said. “Until President Biden steps up and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue bussing migrants to sanctuary cities to help our local partners respond to this Biden-made crisis.”