Texas Governor Sends Busload Of Migrants To NYC Amid Spat With Adams

NEW YORK CITY — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a busload of migrants from his state to New York City in an escalation of his spat with Mayor Eric Adams over asylum seekers.

The first bus arrived Friday in Port Authority Bus Terminal, according to a statement from the Texas Governor's office.

New York City, along with Washington, D.C., will be a drop-off location for asylum seekers Abbott claims are overwhelming his state because of President Joe Biden's border policies, the statement reads.

"NYC is the ideal destination for these migrants," Abbott tweeted.

"They can receive the services Mayor Adams has boasted about w/in the sanctuary city."

Mayoral spokesperson Fabien Levy issued a blistering rebuke of Abbott.

“Governor Abbott is finally admitting to what we’ve known he’s been doing all along," he said in a statement. "His continued use of human beings as political pawns is disgusting, and an embarrassing stain on the state of Texas. New York will continue to welcome asylum seekers with open arms, as we have always have, but we are asking for resources to help do so. We need Washington, DC’s assistance in dealing with the cruel political games being played by inept politicians like the governor of Texas.”

The spat between Adams and Abbott has been growing for weeks.

The mayor blasted Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey as "cowards" for sending away people who are seeking refuge in the United States, and accused them of already sending buses of migrants to New York City.

But the Mayor attracted criticism last week when he tried to blame 4,000 asylum seekers who recently entered city homeless shelters for his administration's struggle to provide housing to those who need it, as the law requires.

Abbott responded by inviting Adams to the border, which the mayor dismissed as a political stunt.

Adams on Thursday said Abbott should give migrants housing in Texas, and accused officials of steering asylum seekers to New York.

"We believe, based on our preliminary review, people were being interviewed at the border and say, 'Which state would you like to go to?'" Adams said.

"That's a setup question...They're not going to say, 'Idaho.' They're going to say the city that everyone knows."

Attorneys with The Legal Aid Society on Friday accused Abbott of using human beings in need as political pawns.

But they also called on city officials to provide a plan to address the needs of migrants.

“Governor Abbott is shamelessly exploiting these migrants - human beings who have endured immense suffering in their home countries and on the journey to the United States, seeking safe haven and a better life - to serve some myopic political purpose," they said in a statement.

"Regardless of who these people are, where they are from, or for what cynical reason they are being sent here, New York is a sanctuary and right to shelter city, and the City must ensure that beds and critical services are immediately available to meet any demand."