Texas taxpayers have spent over $124 million to transport more than 100,000 migrants out of state as part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star border initiative, according to a recent investigation by 13 Investigates. The initiative, which began in April 2022, aims to address the gaps created by the Biden Administration’s failure to secure the border. The migrants have been sent to six cities, all led by Democrats, including New York, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Los Angeles.
The cost of each migrant’s one-way ticket funded by taxpayers averages at $1,243.18. While many Texans may find this cost high, it is argued that there would also be a cost if these individuals stayed in Texas. Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, suggests that the governor is ensuring the migrants’ transportation is safe, secure, and comfortable to counter accusations of being inhumane and irresponsible.
According to the investigation, Wynne Transportation, one of the main bus companies used by the state, bills Texas up to $3,000 a day for individual security guards on the buses. Critics argue that this significantly adds to the overall cost but is necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of the migrants during their journey.
However, Abbott’s initiative is not without consequences for the cities receiving the migrants. New York City has received almost double the number of migrants expected, putting a strain on its resources. Chicago’s city shelters are also full, forcing authorities to allow migrants to live on city buses to protect them from subzero temperatures. To address the issue, Chicago passed an ordinance allowing the towing and impounding of buses that do not comply with regulations.
As a result, several companies, including Wynne Transportation and four Houston-based bus companies, are facing lawsuits and citations from New York City and Chicago. The bus companies’ attorney claims that the state is not covering their legal fees for the lawsuit.
The controversy surrounding Abbott’s busing program has increased political pressure on the White House to take more action at the border. As a result, Texas started flying migrants out to other cities late last year. Four flights transporting 884 migrants to Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Rockport, Illinois, cost the state $845,458, with an average cost of $956.40 for each migrant’s one-way ticket.
The investigation sought to determine the cost to taxpayers if the migrants were to stay in Texas but did not receive an answer from Governor Abbott’s office, the Texas Department of Emergency Management, or the Texas Attorney General’s Office. However, data from two years ago indicates that Texans pay up to $717 million annually for hospitals to treat migrants and over $150 million annually to incarcerate migrants who end up in prison.
Governor Abbott’s initiative has shed light on the challenges faced by Texas and the impact of the border situation on both taxpayers and receiving cities. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the state and federal governments will address these issues and find a sustainable solution.
