LA Council Urges Criminal Investigation into Texas Governor Abbott

In a display of concern and action, the Los Angeles City Council has approved a motion urging the City Attorney’s Office to investigate whether Texas Governor Greg Abbott committed any crimes by sending 42 migrants on a lengthy bus ride to downtown L.A. in June. The motion not only requests an investigation but also calls for potential civil legal action against the state of Texas, Abbott, or any other entities involved in the planning and execution of this action. This motion was initially introduced by council members Eunisses Hernandez, Nithya Raman, Monica Rodriguez, and Hugo Soto-Martinez on June 16.

While the motion received unanimous support with a 13-0 vote, council members Hernandez and Curren Price were absent during this important decision. Since June 14, Texas has sent a total of 11 buses carrying 435 migrants to Los Angeles. The most recent arrival occurred on Wednesday, consisting of 35 asylum seekers from Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Russia, and Venezuela, according to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.

Both Governor Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has similarly sent migrants to New York, have defended their actions, citing that their states are overwhelmed by the influx of undocumented immigrants. Abbott specifically referred to the Los Angeles council’s declaration of the city as a “Sanctuary City”. However, these actions have been heavily criticized, with Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez condemning the competition between Republican governors to be more racist, stating that it reveals their lack of effective governance.

Soto-Martinez highlighted the heartlessness of sending toddlers and small children to Los Angeles, especially during a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Hilary. He demanded a thorough investigation into the criminal actions of Governor Abbott and emphasized the need for accountability.

Additionally, the council approved a resolution calling for Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate and report on the matter. The resolution also urges the county, state, and federal governments to provide the necessary resources to ensure a dignified welcome for the migrants in Los Angeles.

Responding to criticisms, Governor Abbott justified his actions by stating that Texas’ small border towns are overwhelmed by the increasing number of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico due to President Biden’s failure to secure the border. He further asserted that Los Angeles’ status as a major city attracts migrants and that Texas will continue providing relief until President Biden takes action.

Councilman Kevin de Leon expressed his skepticism towards Abbott’s incentive to stop these actions and affirmed Los Angeles’ commitment to accepting and caring for immigrants. He blamed the failure of leaders in Washington D.C. for exacerbating the problem, emphasizing the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Councilwoman Imelda Padilla condemned Governor Abbott’s actions, calling them an “ugly form of political theater” that goes against the dignity and humanity of immigrants, particularly families and children fleeing their countries due to injustices and threats to their lives. Notably, Bass, a representative of Los Angeles, expressed frustration over the lack of communication and coordination regarding these bus arrivals, emphasizing the need for better collaboration to ensure the well-being of the migrants.