Gov. Greg Abbott's plan to bus migrants to Washington, D.C., will be voluntary

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This is a stunt https://www.texastribune.org/2022/04/06/greg-abbott-texas-border-title-42/

But soon after the press conference, Abbott's office released more details about the plan that struck a notably softer tone.

The governor's office clarified that the program is completely voluntary for migrants and would happen only after they had been processed and released by the Department of Homeland Security. And in addition to buses, Abbott also ordered the state to charter flights to transport migrants to the nation's capital. The migrants would have to show documentation that they had already been processed by DHS. Many immigration advocates have noted that providing transportation services for asylum-seekers to reach their final destination is something the state should invest in.

Abbott's announcement led to immediate criticism from both his left and his right. Immigration rights groups said his rhetoric was still dangerous.

"Any forcible busing of migrants across the country would be outrageous and blatantly unconstitutional," Kate Huddleston, a staff attorney at ACLU of Texas, said in a statement. "Given that Abbott cannot dictate where people are sent, he has already backpedaled on this heinous plan, announcing that it will be only voluntary."

Greg's own staff made clear that persons can only bussed if they agree and only after they have been processed and released by DHS

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This is a stunt

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[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Our statement in response to Abbott's latest attempt to use those seeking asylum as political props

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[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. Gov. Abbott's threat to bus migrants to Washington isn't quite what he made it out to be

Greg lied about his program. It is voluntary

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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Gov-Abbott-s-threat-to-bus-migrants-to-17064833.php?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com

When Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that Texas would transport apprehended migrants to Washington, D.C., he left the impression that people would be forcibly shipped off to the U.S. Capitol as soon as they crossed the border illegally and were rounded up by state authorities.

But a few hours after Abbott rolled out the plan at a press conference, the governor's office revealed several new details that painted a much different picture. In a news release, Abbott's office clarified that Texas would only transport migrants to Washington — and other destinations outside the state — if they wanted to go there and had already been processed and released by federal authorities.

Asked Thursday by Fox News host Dana Perino about the plan, Abbott said forced bus trips would run afoul of the law.

“Dana, if I were to go to Washington, D.C. and put you on a bus and take you down to the Rio Grande Valley, that would be kidnapping,” Abbott said. “Same thing applies to anybody who refuses to get onto a bus. That would be kidnapping, even though it would be by a law enforcement agency. So, there are laws that have to be followed in this process.”

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