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HOUSTON, Texas: Republican Governor Greg Abbott intensified his efforts to push responsibility for migrants crossing borders to his Democratic opponents, as Texas sent a group of some 60 newly arrived migrants to Chicago by bus this week.

According to state data, since April Texas has bused more than 7,000 migrants to Washington D.C. and New York City, spending nearly $13 million, as of 8th August.

Seeking a third term as governor in November elections, Abbott said the buses are needed because Democratic President Joe Biden has failed to secure the border with Mexico.

From 1st October, 2021, to 31st July, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has arrested a record 1.8 million migrants at the U.S. southwest border.

This week, Abbott called out Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot for her city’s “sanctuary” law, limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

In a statement, he said, “Mayor Lightfoot loves to tout the responsibility of her city to welcome all, regardless of legal status. I look forward to seeing this responsibility in action.”

In response, Ryan Johnson, Lightfoot’s spokesperson, said on Twitter, “Chicago is a welcoming city and as such has collaborated across various departments and agencies to ensure we greeted them with dignity and respect.”

The Democratic mayors of Washington and New York City have requested federal assistance since Abbott began sending migrants.

Last week, Reuters reported that newly arrived migrants in Washington have struggled to secure permanent housing and medical care.

The move by Abbott and fellow Republican, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, has created chaos, the White House said.

However, according to reports, the Democrat-controlled city of El Paso, Texas, also sent a bus carrying migrants to New York City and is planning to send one to Chicago.