2nd busload of migrants arrives in LA from Texas

A second bus filled with migrants from Texas rolled into Union Station on Saturday afternoon, July 1, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed, adding that the group shipped here as a political statement was greeted by a coalition of government employees and humanitarian aid workers.

The migrants were quickly moved to St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church not far from the transit hub, where they were placed with relatives in the area or sponsor groups, aid leaders said. The migrants’ nations of origin included Guatemala, Colombia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Belize, El Salvador and Mexico.

“As far as we could tell, they were in decent shape,” said Jorge-Mario Cabrera of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, who added that 11 of the 41 migrants were children. “At least this time, they did receive sandwiches and water for their journey.”

On June 14, 42 migrants were bused from the Texas-Mexico border to Union Station by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who proclaimed his state’s border region “overrun” and hinted that more shipments of immigrants could follow.

Amid the consistently bitter national feud over the nation’s border policies, such efforts have been launched repeatedly by Republican governors Abbott and Florida’s Ron DeSantis, transporting migrants to states perceived to have more liberal immigration policies. L.A. has been targeted because the City Council last month launched the creation of a “Sanctuary City” ordinance.

Bass’ office said her team worked quickly Saturday. “Though we were not formally notified, the mayor’s office became aware of the bus yesterday and mobilized,” said a statement from the mayor’s office.

The statement said the city was working with city and county workers plus “a coalition of nonprofit organizations, in addition to our faith partners, to execute a plan set in place earlier this year.”

The statement added: “The City of Los Angeles believes in treating everyone with respect and dignity and will do so.”

The busload made the trip from Brownsville, Texas, according to The L.A. Welcomes Collective, a network of immigrant rights, immigration legal services providers and religious groups.

The team greeted the migrants, offering them food, clothing, and legal immigration information, the statement added. L.A. Welcomes Collective staff was working to reunite the migrants with loved ones who live in Southern California or move them into sponsor settings.

“Independent of origin, mode of transportation or motive, Los Angeles is organized and ready to receive these asylum seekers when they get here.  If Los Angeles is their last destination, we will ensure this is the place where they get a genuine and humane reception,” stated Angelica Salas, Executive Director of  CHIRLA.  “As we approach the long 4th of July weekend, it is befitting to remember that migrants also know struggle and perseverance, and they too seek a better tomorrow where their lives will be valued and celebrated under the banners of justice and compassion.”

Gov. Abbott said his goal is to move migrants from border communities in his state, which he said are swamped by recent immigrants because of current U.S. immigration policies — and into states that embrace sanctuary status.

“Texas’ small border towns remain overwhelmed and overrun by the thousands of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico because of President Biden’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said in a statement last month. “Los Angeles is a major city that migrants seek to go to, particularly now that its city leaders approved its self-declared sanctuary city status. Our border communities are on the front lines of President Biden’s border crisis, and Texas will continue providing this much-needed relief until he steps up to do his job and secure the border.”

According to Abbott’s office, Texas has been chartering buses to take migrants from Texas to locations including Denver, Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia. Since beginning the busing effort last spring, more than 22,000 migrants have been shipped out of Texas to “these self-declared sanctuary cities,” according to Abbott’s office.

Last month, Gov. DeSantis’ administration said that three dozen migrants whom the state flew from the U.S. southern border to Sacramento on private planes all went willingly, disputing allegations by California officials that the individuals were coerced to travel under false pretenses.

The admission of responsibility only served to heighten tensions between DeSantis and Gov. Gavin Newsom, his frequent political sparring partner.

Last fall, Florida flew 49 Venezuelans to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard.

In June, the L.A. City Council unanimously passed a motion directing the city to draft a “Sanctuary City” ordinance that when passed would prohibit any city resources, property or personnel from being used for any federal immigration enforcement.

After the first busload of migrants arrived, members of the City Council launched an investigation into whether human trafficking and kidnapping were committed.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez introduced the motion, with her colleagues Nithya Raman, Monica Rodriguez and Hugo Soto-Martinez, to direct the City Attorney’s office to conduct the investigation.

In addition, a resolution was introduced calling upon L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón, California State Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to conduct similar investigations for possible crimes committed during the “political stunt.”

DeSantis is also a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. And Abbott has indicated he was planning to continue such actions. So this may not be the last such trip to California.

In the meantime, volunteers from aid groups, elected leaders and the clergy vowed to assure that any migrants arriving would be safe, fed and housed — and get advice on their future options.

“Every human being is made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, we recognize the sacredness of our migrant brothers and sisters,” said Michael P. Donaldson, Senior Director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

City News Service and The Associated Press contributed to this report.