{"id":80389,"date":"2022-10-07T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T18:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=80389"},"modified":"2022-10-07T14:22:33","modified_gmt":"2022-10-07T18:22:33","slug":"busing-immigrants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/busing-immigrants\/","title":{"rendered":"Does the Busing Immigrants Tactic Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the goal of busing immigrants to other states? Does this tactic accomplish any goals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, there’s been a surge in the number of border crossings, and border states are getting fed up. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis went so far as to fly a group of immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard to prove a point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we’ll take a look at the two sides of the argument as to whether or not busing immigrants works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Yes, the Busing Tactic Is Working<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is the governors\u2019 tactic of busing immigrants to northern cities a useful response to this historic influx of immigrants<\/a>? Supporters say yes, it\u2019s succeeded by drawing attention to the problem<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeSantis said his transport of Venezuelans to Martha\u2019s Vineyard was only fair so that all communities, especially \u201csanctuary\u201d cities that don\u2019t cooperate with immigration enforcement, can share the \u201cburden\u201d of caring for immigrants<\/a>. He acknowledged his desire to stir Democratic officials to pressure Biden to stem the immigrant influx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, Massachusetts officials and those in other cities receiving immigrant buses complained that the busing was creating a humanitarian crisis, although the numbers of unexpected immigrants have been extremely small compared to the daily influx that border states must deal with<\/a>. DeSantis accused these officials of hypocrisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jury is still out on whether the pressure will be a catalyst for meaningful or effective federal policy changes. One indication that it may help to move the needle is that support for immigration is sinking<\/a>. A Gallup poll in July 2022, coinciding with the busing tactic, found that only 27% think immigration should be expanded, down from 34% in 2020. Meanwhile, 38% think it should be decreased, up from 28% two years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, It Isn\u2019t Working<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Critics of the busing tactic measure it by a different standard\u2014they assert that it\u2019s failed on moral and possibly legal grounds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s inhumane to dump immigrants in cities where they have no contacts and which haven\u2019t built an infrastructure to support them, critics say. Further, it\u2019s immoral to use immigrants as political pawns or props<\/a>, either to advocate for policy changes or to build support for a political campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials in Martha\u2019s Vineyard contended they turned the tables on DeSantis by demonstrating how to respond compassionately<\/a> and humanely to immigrants, contrary to the governor\u2019s accusations of liberal hypocrisy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other critics, including a Texas sheriff who opened an investigation<\/a>, question whether the bused immigrants were lied to or lured into transport across state lines under false pretenses<\/a>, which could be illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While critics and supporters of Biden\u2019s immigration policy view the busing tactic and reactions to it from their political perspectives, both sides may overlook certain nuances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n