John, 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has been inhumanely busing asylum-seekers to New York City as a political stunt, and we won’t stand for it.

No one leaves their home because they feel safe. Migrants seeking refuge and safety often make the trek to the southern border on foot, some walking over 3,000 miles. Gov. Abbott is using people who are fleeing violence and persecution as political pawns to boost his polling numbers by misleading them to get on buses to destinations that some do not want to go to, then not providing them food, water or care in the 36-48 hour long bus ride. 

Just a few days ago, a young girl got off a bus in NYC and needed emergency care and insulin. This Sunday, the NYIC quickly organized care packages for another bus and saw the harm and trauma first-hand, as a young man sent on one of these buses was complaining of chest pain and received immediate care. 

Governor Abbott’s actions are a clear attack on our humanitarian and legal obligations to asylum-seekers and refugees.

Onwards,

Murad Awawdeh