New York may have received nearly 120,000 migrants since the spring of last year, but as far as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is concerned, New York has it easy.

“What is going on in New York is calm and organized compared to the real chaos of what we see on the border not every day, but every hour of every day,” Abbott said.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott made an unusual visit Wednesday to New York City, where he’s been vilified for busing migrants from the southern border

  • In a speech hosted by the conservative-leaning Manhattan Institute, Abbott minimized the migrant crisis in New York, calling it “calm and organized” compared to the southern border

  • Abbott says Texas sent just 15,800 migrants to New York, providing necessary relief to overwhelmed border towns

  • Abbott said rather than ask the Biden administration for more money, New York should press for changes in immigration policy

In an eyebrow-raising move, the Republican governor gave a speech Wednesday hosted by the conservative-leaning Manhattan Institute, just around the corner from the Roosevelt Hotel, the city’s primary entry point for migrants.

Abbott began sending busloads of migrants to New York last year, drawing widespread condemnation from local officials.

But Abbott says he’s sent just 15,800 migrants, an operation he insists was necessary to relieve pressure on overwhelmed border towns.

“We’ve sent about 10% of the migrants that you have here,” he said, “which candidly would be easy for New York to deal with.”

Abbott aimed his criticism not at New York officials but at President Joe Biden, though in response to accusations his policy is inhumane, Abbott cited the recent tragedy at a Bronx day care center that doubled as a drug distribution hub.

“What’s inhumane is a one-year-old child dying in New York because of fentanyl,” he said.

But even there, Abbott blamed what he called the White House’s open border policies.

“The challenge that the city of New York and the state of New York are dealing with is caused by one person: Joe Biden,” he said. “They must prevail upon their president for more than just money. They need a change in policy.”

New York officials punched back Wednesday.

When asked about Abbott’s remarks at a news conference, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “Let me be clear: I will not be taking advice from Greg Abbott.”

New York City Eric Adams’ office accused Abbott of using migrants as political pawns.

“We take great pride in providing the compassion and care that Governor Abbott seems to lack… If he genuinely wanted to be part of the solution to this humanitarian crisis, Governor Abbott would urge his Republican colleagues in Congress to collaborate with President Biden on desperately needed and long overdue immigration reform,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.

“If he’s genuine about solving the problem, don’t come to New York and grandstand,” Hochul continued. “Go to Washington and meet with Speaker McCarthy and say, ‘You have the key in your hands to solving this problem.’”