Arizona Governor Doug Ducey (R) recently responded to statements made by Eastern American mayors, including New York City’s (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams (D), who have requested help after an influx of immigrants from the southern border.
“President Biden created the crisis at the border – he’s failed to respond to calls for action and refuses to even visit the border, so we’re bringing the issue a little closer to home for him,” Ducey tweeted.
President Biden created the crisis at the border — he’s failed to respond to calls for action and refuses to even visit the border, so we’re bringing the issue a little closer to home for him. 2/
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 19, 2022
In a statement released by Adams, the New York mayor called for additional federal resources to provide “a sharp increase in asylum seekers from Latin America and other regions” with proper support. He states that more than 2,800 individuals have entered the NYC shelter system over the last several weeks. Some of these individuals are “arriving on buses sent by the Texas and Arizona governments,” while others appear to have come directly from the federal government.
In response to this statement, Ducey said the immigrants in NYC are not coming from Arizona.
“Mayor Adams needs to get his facts straight and pay closer attention to what’s really occurring because our nation’s security depends on it. The State of Arizona is providing voluntary transportation for asylum seekers only to Washington, D.C., not NY,” Ducey tweeted.
Mayor Adams needs to get his facts straight and pay closer attention to what’s really occurring because our nation’s security depends on it. The State of Arizona is providing voluntary transportation for asylum seekers only to Washington, D.C., not NY. 1/ https://t.co/LiVVJo7Esi pic.twitter.com/AejYUEn3DG
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 19, 2022
“The president’s policies have placed overwhelming burdens on Arizona communities. It’s convenient that these liberal mayors are finally speaking up on this humanitarian crisis once it affects their communities, even though our program does not charter to New York City,” Ducey tweeted.
The President’s policies have placed overwhelming burdens on Arizona communities. It’s convenient that these liberal mayors are finally speaking up on this humanitarian crisis once it affects their communities, even though our program does not charter to New York City. 3/3
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 19, 2022
Moreover, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) made similar comments about needing help taking care of an influx of bused-in immigrants from Arizona and Texas while speaking on CBS News’s Face the Nation, further saying these people may be tricked into getting on the buses.
“This is a very significant issue,” Bowser said. “We have for sure called on the federal government to work across state lines to prevent people from really being tricked into getting on buses. We think they’re largely asylum seekers who are going to final destinations that are not Washington D.C.”
Ducey responded by saying the Biden administration is the only entity playing a trick on immigrants.
“The only trick that’s being played on asylum seekers comes from the Biden Administration, which with their open border policy, has sent every possible signal to migrants to ‘head north,'” Ducey tweeted.
The only trick that’s being played on asylum seekers comes from the Biden Administration, which with their open border policy, has sent every possible signal to migrants to “head north.” @MurielBowser https://t.co/gTKHiYvvqJ
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 18, 2022
Furthermore, Ducey said it is time for Bowser to work with “your President” to do something about the situation.
Welcome to our world, @MayorBowser. Now work with your party, your Congress, and your President to do something about it. https://t.co/2I96OAFeJH
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) July 18, 2022
A report from D.C.-based WUSA9 revealed that some of the 4,000 immigrants bused to D.C. by Arizona and Texas are not reaching their promised destination. The outlet interviewed Venezuelan immigrant Ana Karina Arce Polano, who said “a man in a badge and uniform” in Texas told her family they would be sent to Colorado after arriving in D.C., which has yet to happen. According to the report, Ducey has sent 27 buses containing 1,031 immigrants to D.C. since the practice began in May, a month after Texas began doing the same.
When Ducey began busing immigrants to D.C., he released a statement saying he was doing it because of a high strain on Arizona community resources. Furthermore, all trips are voluntary, and transportation would include meals and onboard support.
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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Doug Ducey” by Doug Ducey. Photo “Eric Adams” by Eric Adams.
