Texas Stops Busing Migrants to Cities

In a notable shift, Texas has ceased its busing of migrants to Democratic-led cities, including Chicago, during the Democratic National Convention. State officials confirmed that no buses have been dispatched for nearly two months, a significant change from the previous practice of transporting migrants to various urban centers. This decision comes amid a dramatic decrease in the number of migrant crossings, which has rendered the busing program largely inactive. The cessation of the busing initiative is not due to an official halt of the program, according to Texas officials. Instead, they attribute the inactivity to a reduction in migrant crossings, which has diminished the program's effectiveness as a political tool for Governor Greg Abbott. Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has seen over 120,000 migrants transported to cities such as Chicago, New York, Washington, and Denver, sparking considerable debate and opposition from civil rights groups. The lack of migrant buses during a politically significant week has raised concerns among Democratic leaders and city officials, who had anticipated continued arrivals. The situation reflects broader trends in migration patterns and the political landscape surrounding immigration policy in Texas and beyond. As the state navigates these changes, the implications for both local communities and state politics remain to be seen, particularly as the busing program was initially designed to highlight the challenges of immigration at the federal level.