A Texas bus arrived in Washington, DC on Wednesday morning, transporting dozens of illegal immigrants as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s new plan to tackle federal immigration policies during an ongoing border crisis. Abbott announced last week that he was heading the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) to transport migrants released from federal detention in Texas to the state capital and other locations outside his state. TEXAS CLAIMS VICTORY AFTER GOV. ABBOTT COMMITTED TO BUILD ILLEGAL BUSES TO WASHINGTON The bus boarded at about 8 a.m. local time, blocks from the U.S. Capitol building. Fox News has learned that they came from the Del Rio sector in Texas, having come to the United States from Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Upon arrival of the bus in Washington, DC, the individuals disembarked one by one in addition to the family units that went out together. They checked in with officials and cut off the bracelets they were wearing before telling them they could go. A group of immigrants were transported by bus from Texas to Washington, DC, where they were unloaded from the US Capitol on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Fox News) A group of immigrants were transported by bus from Texas to Washington, DC, where they were unloaded from the US Capitol on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Fox News) A group of immigrants were transported by bus from Texas to Washington, DC, where they were unloaded from the US Capitol on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Fox News) According to TDEM, Abbott’s plan is already working. The agency told Fox News on Monday that many of the communities that initially sought support – from the Rio Grande Valley to Terrell County – say the federal government stopped dropping migrants into their cities after Abbott announced April 6. Some have wondered if Abbott’s plan to transport migrants by bus was genuine. The White House rejected it as a “publicity stunt.” Even Texas Rep. Matt Schaefer called it a “trick.” IMMIGRANTS TAKE SELFS AT THE BORDER AFTER PASSING US TDEM said it sent buses over the weekend to border communities where it coordinated with officials to identify these migrants. The agency added that each bus has the capacity and supplies needed to carry up to 40 immigrants who are released into Texas communities and transported to Washington, DC. However, the governor’s legal authority to transport immigrant buses to the US Capitol remains in question. In 2012 Supreme Court Arizona v. United States case prevents States from pursuing their own immigration policies. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Abbott insists the federal government is failing to address the situation adequately. President Biden recently announced that he would repeal Title 42, which was used for the rapid deportation of migrants due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Texans are demanding and deserving of an aggressive, inclusive strategy to secure our borders – not President Biden’s innocent leadership,” Abbott said in a statement. “As the federal government continues to undo common-sense policies that once kept our communities safe, our local law enforcement has stepped up to protect Texans from dangerous criminals, deadly drugs and smuggling in Lone Star State.” Fox News’ Griff Jenkins, Bradford Betz, Marisa Schultz and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
