Noem And Abbott Overrule Biden On Plan To House Migrants In Their States: ‘Unacceptable and unsustainable’
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem overruled Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on a key issue related to the border crisis. The two Republican governors joined with 18 other Republican Governors to tell the Biden administration that they object to Biden’s plan to house migrants in their states for an ‘unspecified length of time with almost zero transparency’ calling it ‘unacceptable and unsustainable.’
They wrote a letter officially objecting to his plan. They wrote, “We call on you to take action on the crisis at the southern border immediately. Contrary to statements from your Administration, the border is neither closed nor secure.
“In fact, the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reports a staggering surge in recent crossings: 172,000 encounters in March, the highest number in nearly 20 years, as well as 18,890 unaccompanied children, the largest monthly number in history.
“The crisis is too big to ignore and is now spilling over the border states into all of our states. Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services called upon many of our states to identify potential housing locations for migrants.
“In addition, the Department circumvented our states altogether by asking private organizations and nonprofits to house unaccompanied migrant children. Often these facilities lack adequate security.
“Allowing the federal government to place a potentially unlimited number of unaccompanied migrant children into our states’ facilities for an unspecified length of time with almost zero transparency is unacceptable and unsustainable.
“We have neither the resources nor the obligation to solve the federal government’s problem and foot the bill for the consequences of this Administration’s misguided actions.
“The cause of the border crisis is entirely due to reckless federal policy reversals executed within your first 100 days in office.
“This Administration has enticed a rush of migrants to our border and incentivized an influx of illegal crossings by using irresponsible rhetoric and reversing a slew of policies—from halting border wall construction to eliminating asylum agreements to refusing to enforce immigration laws.
“The rhetoric of the Biden Administration and the rollback of critical agreements with our allies have led to the inhumane treatment of tens of thousands of children and undermined a fragile immigration system.
“While the most direct victims of the policy changes will be the children exploited and trafficked by gangs and cartels, the disastrous impact of your policies on America’s recovery will be far-reaching.
“Federal, state, and local authorities are overwhelmed, and the situation on the ground is heartbreaking.
“At a time when our country is trying to recover from a once-in-a-generation pandemic, the last thing we need is a self-created crisis that exploits families, undermines public safety, and threatens our national security.
“We urge you to take action to end the humanitarian crisis and secure our southern border immediately,” they wrote.
5 unaccompanied migrant girls under the age of 7 were discovered Sunday night by a farmer in the RGV.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 12, 2021
This is heartbreaking.
Biden must end this crisis. https://t.co/cYDznKUzdD
Today, we launched Stronger Families Together to make sure that we have enough foster families for kids who need a safe and loving home. Our goal: 300 new foster families a year. If you want to learn more about being a foster parent, visit https://t.co/jX66suVXA3 pic.twitter.com/82Tf8XScAS
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) May 11, 2021