State officials in Texas say busing migrants to Washington will be more like a disaster evacuation and not at all like a kidnapping, addressing criticism from Democrats and some Republicans following Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement of the plan Wednesday.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management will work directly with towns and cities along the border with Mexico that request transportation for migrants who have been released from custody by the Border Patrol and are allowed to remain in the United States while going through removal and asylum proceedings, according to the chief of media and communications, Seth Christensen.