News lead: Chris Magnus, the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey are lying to immigrant families about housing, opportunities work and other support they will receive once they are in the northern cities.
Magnus dismissed Republican claims that an influx of asylum seekers was causing “chaos” at the southern border. He defended the work of the Border Patrol, saying federal agents are working with immigrants as they arrive.
What he says: “People across the country need to know that there is no chaos here,” Magnus said. “People who are detained here are being processed and many of them are seeking asylum. So if some of them are released into the country, they are doing so legally. They still have a date to appear for an asylum hearing.” The big picture: More than 10,000 immigrants who arrived in Texas have been transported or bused since the spring to Democratic-led cities, which Republicans see as a challenge to President Biden’s border policies.
Since sending 50 immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard last week, DeSantis has faced a backlash from Democrats and immigration advocates, who have said he and other Republican governors are pulling a cruel political stunt. Attorneys representing about 30 of the immigrants are asking the Massachusetts attorney general and federal officials to open criminal investigations into Desantis’ actions. The Biden administration has indicated it is considering legal options to stop the relocations.
In the meantime, DeSantis said he plans to continue transportation, which Florida has budgeted millions for. He claims the migrants took the flights voluntarily.
