After the tragic death of a three-year-old who was aboard a bus of migrants headed to Chicago, Illinois, Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez (D) wrote a letter to Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker (D), inviting him to see the “horrors” happening at the border.
“On Friday, a migrant toddler was found dead aboard a bus headed to Chicago. She died so Abbott can talk tough for right wing media. Today, I sent this letter to Governor Pritzker to see the horrors for himself. We need leaders who will stand against this barbaric system.”
On Friday, a migrant toddler was found dead aboard a bus headed to Chicago.
She died so Abbott can talk tough for right wing media.
Today, I sent this letter to Governor Pritzker to see the horrors for himself. We need leaders who will stand against this barbaric system. pic.twitter.com/ldfuqWtR6m
— Senator Roland Gutierrez (@RolandForTexas) August 13, 2023
Sen. Gutierrez reminded the governor that the policy of shipping migrants also extended to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), who is currently facing criminal charges from Bexar County Sherriff Javier Salazar for allegedly luring migrants under false pretenses.
“For years many advocates have expressed deep concern over Gov. Abbott’s treatment of migrants in Texas. He is not alone in his cold-blooded policies. As I write, the DeSantis administration is under criminal investigation in Bexar County, Texas for its actions in transporting migrants across state lines. There seems to be no rock-bottom for their cruelty. Their hunger for pain and suffering knows no bounds.”
Sen. Gutierrez shared several stories in which migrants were harmed because of the brutality of the border.
“In the past six weeks, a pregnant migrant woman miscarried while trapped in concertina wire along the Border. Recently Texas has deployed buoys into the Rio Grande River that have saw-like attachments with the intention of forcing migrants into deeper and more treacherous water. As a result, children and other migrants have drowned in the river.”
Despite the Department of Justice (DOJ) filing a lawsuit against the Texas governor, the policies are still currently in action.
“There is little anyone can do about these policies in Texas. There is no law enforcement agency in this state that will hold Governor Abbott to account for the deaths of migrants.”
The state senator asked the Illinois governor to look into the various measures that have been taken at the border to stop immigration.
“It is my understanding that the State of Illinois is already investigating the death of this child in Marion County. I urge you to investigate all aspects of this tragedy, including the policy decision from the Texas Governor to place migrants on a cross-country bus ride with no concern about their wellbeing. Every public official responsible for placing that child on that bus should face scrutiny and be held to account.”
Gutierrez concluded his statement by formally inviting the Illinois governor to the state of Texas to view the border in person.
“In addition, I invite you to Texas to witness firsthand, the horror of the actions of Gov. Abbott. There is no end to Gov. Abbott’s malice and vindictiveness. It is my sincere hope that someone will show the courage to finally hold him responsible for the death and mistreatment of migrants.”
Gutierrez’s letter marks the latest criticism of the controversial tactics used at the Texas border. The multiple deaths that have occurred at the border, or near it, continue to cause much scrutiny for the state of Texas because of the dangerous measures used to stop immigration.
