It all started with a single bus. Back in April 2022, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas sent a bus carrying 24 migrants from the border town of Del Rio to Washington, D.C. At the time, it seemed like a one-off stunt—a political move to grab attention.
But it quickly became much bigger. Soon, buses were regularly transporting migrants to major cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver. Over time, Abbott’s operation moved at least 119,000 migrants out of Texas.
The goal? To make sure the rest of the country felt the weight of Texas’ border crisis. Critics called it cruel, accusing Abbott of using migrants as political pawns. But his team saw it differently—they said it was about protecting Texas and forcing a national conversation about immigration.
A Crisis on Wheels
Abbott’s team didn’t initially plan on this being a massive operation. The idea came from local leaders near the border, who asked for help moving migrants to larger cities in Texas. Abbott decided to take it a step further—why stop at Texas when he could send them to cities farther away?
From the start, Abbott made it clear this wasn’t a one-time deal. The buses kept rolling, with tens of thousands of migrants arriving in cities unprepared for the sudden influx. By September 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was warning that the city was being overwhelmed. “We’re getting no support on this national crisis,” he said. His frustration only fueled Republicans’ criticism of President Biden’s handling of immigration.
A Political Ripple Effect
The migrant buses weren’t just about immigration—they became a political weapon. Republican leaders, including Abbott, blamed the Biden administration for failing to control the border. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in cities like New York and Chicago struggled to manage the new arrivals, creating headlines that resonated across the country.
Even Democrats admit Abbott’s move reshaped the immigration debate. “For the first time, people outside of border communities were feeling the impact of the crisis,” said Andrea Flores, a former advisor to President Biden. But she also criticized her party for not responding strongly enough, leaving space for Republicans to control the narrative.
Did It Work?
Supporters of the operation say it succeeded in making Americans pay attention to the border crisis. “It opened people’s eyes,” said Mike Banks, Abbott’s border czar. Polls show immigration became a bigger concern for voters, boosting support for Trump’s tough immigration policies.
Some, however, question whether it actually helped Texas with its migrant population. “Did it solve the problem? Maybe a little,” said one Texas political consultant. “But it definitely captured the country’s attention.”
A Growing Divide
Governor Abbott wasn’t alone in moving migrants. Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Arizona’s former governor, Doug Ducey, also relocated migrants to make political points. But Abbott’s buses, which often arrived in cities with little warning, sparked the biggest reactions.
In cities like Denver, local leaders admit their response wasn’t perfect but say the issue was used for political gain elsewhere. “The headlines about what happened here definitely shaped opinions in other parts of the country,” said Jon Ewing, a spokesman for Denver’s mayor.
Where Things Stand Now
The bus program largely stopped by mid-2023, partly because of new federal policies limiting how many migrants could enter the U.S. But Abbott still touts the operation as a success. At the Republican National Convention in July, he promised to keep the buses rolling “until we finally secure our border.”
A Divided Nation
Abbott’s strategy not only forced a spotlight on the border crisis but also deepened political divides. In places like Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, voters have shifted to the right. A retired financial planner who supported Kamala Harris summed up the tension when he congratulated a group of Trump supporters after the 2024 election. “I hope it all works out,” he said, though his tone was skeptical.
One Trump supporter’s reply captured the moment: “We changed the world!” Whether you see it as a bold move or a cruel stunt, Abbott’s buses undeniably changed the conversation about immigration in America.
