Another bus carrying dozens of migrants arrived in Los Angeles, California, Saturday afternoon from Texas, the second in the last three weeks.
The bus carrying 41 migrants arrived in downtown Los Angeles around 12:40 p.m.
The migrants, including 11 children, are from eight different countries, including Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
“Though we were not formally notified, the Mayor’s Office became aware of the bus Friday and mobilized — working with City Departments, the County, and a coalition of nonprofit organizations, in addition to our faith partners, to execute a plan set in place earlier this year,” read a statement issued by a spokesperson for L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. “The City of Los Angeles believes in treating everyone with respect and dignity and will do so.”
Members of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) were at hand Saturday at a local church to offer assistance. With their help, members received water, food, clothing and medical check-ups. They also got access to legal immigration assistance.
CHIRLA believes the bus was sent through Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s state-funded busing efforts, but has not received confirmation from the governor’s office. ABC News has also reached out to Abbott’s office to confirm.
On June 14, 42 migrants were sent to L.A. by Abbott, who said his state’s border region “overrun” by migrants and hinted that more transfers could follow.
“Texas’ small border towns remain overwhelmed and overrun by the thousands of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico because of President Biden’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said in a statement.
CHIRLA said unlike June 14’s transfer, officials in Brownsville alerted the group before the migrants’ arrival. CHIRLA spokesperson Jorge-Mario Cabrera spoke with ABC News but could not specify who gave the organization a heads up about the incoming bus. However, he said they learned about it Friday night and were able to mobilize resources to meet the migrants when they arrived.
CHIRLA helped arrange transportation for about six of the migrants who needed to reach other cities for upcoming court dates.
Some people were sent to Las Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco and Oakland. The majority of the group had ties to the Los Angeles area and were met by relatives when they arrived.
“The city of Brownsville, once we confirmed that the bus was on the way, they tried to make sure that we had as much information about the individuals so that by the time that they arrived here, we would be even more prepared,” said CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas. “We can’t control what Texas does, how they’re doing this, but we can control what we’re doing here in the city of L.A. and county to make sure once they arrive in Los Angeles, they have just a decent welcome.”
L.A. Councilman Kevin de León said he’s asking federal and state leaders to intervene to stop states like Texas from moving asylum seekers around the country.
“To me, this is human trafficking,” he said. “This is trafficking individuals against their will from one state to another state. This is kidnapping as far as I’m concerned.”
Last month, the Los Angeles City Council passed a motion asking the city to draft a “Sanctuary City” ordinance that would prohibit any city resources, property or personnel from being used for any federal immigration enforcement.
