The federal government has been taking drastic measures to address the overwhelming influx of illegal immigrants at California’s southern border, with concerns about the optics just weeks before the November election. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond revealed that instead of releasing migrants onto the streets, the government has been bussing and flying them out of state.
Desmond shared that around 155,000 migrants were released in San Diego from September 2023 through June, causing a strain on local resources. To avoid a repeat of this situation, three buses now leave the county daily to transport migrants to Yuma, Arizona, while three to four airplanes fly them to McAllen, Texas.
The decision to bus and fly migrants out of state has raised questions about the government’s handling of the situation, especially as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott faced criticism for similar actions. The Biden administration has been under scrutiny for its border policies, with a recent executive action leading to a significant drop in encounters at the border.
Despite the challenges, Vice President Kamala Harris has emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Desmond echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of vetting individuals coming into the country. As a group of 2,000 migrants makes its way towards the U.S. border, the issue of immigration continues to be a hot-button topic with no easy solutions in sight.
