A Democratic politician’s claim that Texas was requiring migrants to board buses to New York City and Washington, D.C., is a “flat-out” lie, according to Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) office.
“These Democrat elites in New York City are flat-out lying and know nothing about Texas’ busing operations,” Abbott press secretary Renae Eze told the Washington Examiner. “These migrants willingly chose to go to New York City, having signed a voluntary consent waiver, available in multiple languages, upon boarding that they agreed on the destination.
“Instead of lying and complaining about a few hundred migrants in their sanctuary city, these New York City hypocrites should call on President Biden to take immediate action to secure the border — something the president continues failing to do,” Eze said.
On Wednesday, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine posted statements to Twitter in which he claimed migrants were forced to board buses to destinations they did not wish to travel to, alleging they were coerced into signing nondisclosure agreements that prevented them from speaking to anyone about their experiences.
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“It’s clear the migrants did not give their consent in any real way to be sent here. As many as 40% have family or close relations in other parts of the country who could provide them accommodation, but the migrants were not given the option of going to those places.” Levine wrote. “Not only is the State of Texas not coordinating with NYC, they have made migrants sign NDAs to ensure we get no advance warning of bus arrivals.”
Not only is the State of Texas not coordinating with NYC, they have made migrants sign NDAs to ensure we get no advance warning of bus arrivals. 4/
— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) August 24, 2022
However, Abbott’s office stated in an email that no one is provided an NDA and shared a copy of the only document migrants are required to fill out and return before traveling to New York or Washington.
“I, [blank], agree to be transported by the State of Texas or its designated agency officials to locations outside of Texas, such as Washington, D.C. or New York City, New York,” the waiver states. “I agree to hold the State of Texas or its designated agency officials harmless of all liability arising out of or in any way relating to any injuries and damages that may occur during the agreed transport to locations outside of Texas.”
The waiver goes on to ask for the signee’s full name, date of birth, date of signature, location of departure, and location of destination. By writing the destination, migrants confirm that they are aware of and are choosing to go to New York or Washington.
The form describes Washington as “the capital of the United States and is where members of Congress and the President of the United States are more immediately able to help address the needs of migrants who have entered the country.”
“New York City has been designated as a sanctuary city by its City Council, and is providing shelter and food to migrants who have entered the country,” the form continues.
Levine’s office responded to a request for comment Thursday evening, stating that his NDA claim was about bus company employees, not migrants.
“Clarification: Texas is requiring bus company employees to sign NDAs, not migrants. The goal is the same, they want to make sure NYC can’t coordinate services for the arrivals. Truly reprehensible,” Levine wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
“This fact was shared with us through a source, but it has been corroborated by other agencies,” Levine spokesman Reuben A. Torres wrote in an email.
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Texas and Arizona began providing buses for migrants to travel to northern cities upon being released from federal immigration custody into border towns. Roughly a couple of hundred choose to take the buses daily, though between 2,000 and 5,000 people have been released into border communities daily over the past 18 months.
The large majority of migrants pay for their own travel expenses and opt to travel by commercial plane to where they have friends and family who may pay ticket costs. Those who cannot afford travel may request that nonprofit groups and charities pay for their flights, including Catholic Charities, which receives hundreds of migrants released by Border Patrol outside its McAllen, Texas, facility daily. Because migrants are no longer in federal custody, it is not the U.S. government’s responsibility to provide transportation, food, or shelter after release.
