Staff Reports
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) launched a scathing attack on Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), labeling him a “human trafficker” for his alleged role in busing illegal immigrants to Democratic cities during the border crisis. Jeffries, in a fit of partisan rhetoric, accused Abbott of playing political games and being an embarrassment, rather than addressing the overarching immigration system challenges.
During a CNN interview with Jake Tapper, Jeffries adamantly stated that Abbott’s actions were reprehensible and decried the need for a comprehensive and bipartisan approach to fixing the broken immigration system. His impassioned plea for cooperation and bipartisanship seemingly fell on deaf ears as he criticized the opposing party’s stubborn and ineffective strategies.
Jeffries: Well, Governor Abbott is an embarrassment and a human trafficker. pic.twitter.com/uzaVOD9ZML
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 13, 2024
Jeffries emphasized the Democrats’ support for a “strong, secure, and humane” border, echoing the party’s stance on immigration reform. This comes in the wake of a haggling Congress, unable to push through a comprehensive border security bill. The bill had proposed significant reinforcements at the border, including more personnel and technology, but drew criticism from Republicans for its provisions on illegal immigration and asylum recipients.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) took to X to denounce the Senate Border Bill, vowing that it would not receive a vote in the House. He lambasted the deal for accepting 5,000 illegal immigrants per day and granting automatic work permits to asylum recipients, which he deemed as an enticing magnet for more illegal immigration.
The border states such as Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico have been grappling with the overwhelming influx of illegal immigration. In response, Abbott initiated “Operation Lone Star,” directing the transfer of thousands of immigrants to sanctuary cities as a measure to alleviate Texas’s burden. New York City bore the brunt, with over 150,000 new immigrants arriving since the spring of 2022, while other cities like Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C., also received their share of asylum-seekers.
The showdown between Democrats and Republicans over immigration policies persists, leaving the nation mired in a deadlock with no end in sight for the ongoing border crisis.
