CNN reported, “Several busloads of migrants were dropped off in front of Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, DC, on Christmas Eve in 18 degree weather late Saturday. A CNN team saw some migrants wearing only T-shirts in the freezing weather.” (Read story here and watch the ABC News video above.)
NBC News said the migrants included “babies and young children,” and many of the adults “lacked shoes, while others wore flip-flops or sandals.” (Read story here.)
They were dumped on sidewalks during a once-in-a-generation winter storm, and D.C. authorities weren’t informed they were coming. An activist involved in helping the migrants “called the stunt ‘awful’ and said that ‘it shows that the cruelty is the point.'”
She told NBC News the buses came from Texas. Huffington Post said Gov. Greg Abbott’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment, and “Texas authorities have not confirmed their involvement” (read that story here); but a White House spokesman said, “Governor Abbott abandoned children on the side of the road in below freezing temperatures on Christmas Eve without coordinating with any Federal or local authorities” (that story is here).
There’s no excuse for sending children into a winter storm without telling anyone they’re coming, and I don’t see the point of it. Migrant rescue groups in D.C. were prepared for their arrival only because they were tipped off by an advocacy group in Texas. Apparently private citizens need to spy on the Texas government to keep these children safe.
It’s hard to believe no laws were broken. I think D.C. prosecutors should be looking at trafficking and child neglect laws at this point. Even if they only go after the bus drivers, nobody will drive those buses if they’re risking jail by doing so.