Texas has spent millions on busing processed migrants across the nation, but it still costs taxpayers less than providing services for migrants within the state.
Governor Greg Abbott’s program has cost more than $20 million, according to documents obtained by WFAA.
Abbott’s office said in a Friday press release that buses have transported almost 13,000 migrants to various cities across the U.S. — almost 8,300 to Washington, D.C., more than 3,500 to New York City, and over 1,100 to Chicago.
“The busing mission is providing much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border communities,” according to Abbott’s office.
The program, which began in April, costs roughly $1,600 per migrant transported. However, it appears these costs pale compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars Texas has spent on servicing migrants within the state.
Last year, Attorney General Ken Paxton shared that Texas spends about $855 million annually on services for unlawful migrants.
According to a press release from Paxton’s office, between $579 million and $717 million has been spent on hospital districts providing uncompensated care for unlawful migrants each year.
Housing for these unlawful migrants reportedly costs Texas taxpayers $152 million.
Texans pay between $62 million and $90 million to include unlawful migrants in the state Emergency Medicaid program, the release stated. Between $30 million and $38 million is spent annually on perinatal coverage for unlawful migrants through the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
“Texans are hardworking and generous people, but the cost of illegal immigration is an unconscionable burden on the taxpayers of our great state,” Paxton said in his statement.
“Texas will always welcome those who legally immigrate, but we cannot continue forcing taxpayers to foot the bill for individuals who skirt the law and skip the line. I will continue to fight for justice, safety, and prosperity for all Texans,” he concluded.
The busing program, however, has been criticized by many.
“It was all a political campaign, propaganda, a stunt by Governor Abbott,” Domingo Garcia, the president of the League of United Latin American Citizens told WFAA. “Instead of going for schools, scholarships, things that will improve the lives of Texans, here’s the governor of Texas spending $20 million for a political stunt, using immigrants as political piñatas,” Garcia said.