Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made a controversial move by flying migrants to Democratic-led "sanctuary cities" in protest of the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis. The first flight, carrying over 120 migrants, landed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) on December 19. This came just a week after the Chicago City Council passed new regulations for receiving buses transporting migrants, prompting accusations that the flights were a direct retaliation by Governor Abbott.  

Operation Lone Star 

The program dubbed Operation Lone Star has transported over 80,000 migrants via buses since April 2023. The program has been controversial for some time, with many supporters arguing that it relieves pressure on border communities and draws attention to the federal government's nonaction. 

On the other hand, many critics denounce it as a political stunt that exploits vulnerable individuals for biased gains. "You really have a situation where the state government and Greg Abbott are treating human beings like animals," Castro, a Democratic lawmaker who represents a Texas district, said from the town of Eagle Pass. 

As of right now, Operation Lone Star remains in effect, with thousands of Texas National Guard troops and state law enforcement officers deployed to patrol the border to apprehend individuals attempting illegal entry and assist in investigations. The program has also seen a buff-up on the tech side, with drones, cameras, and sensors used to monitor the border. 

The Flights

According to a tweet by Gov. Abbott, the flights are an expansion of Operation Lone Star.   

While the flight operator is unknown for now, we have some information on the plane type that could be used. A Boeing 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), although still not confirmed, some outlets have reported that the initial flight to Chicago departed from El Paso used this variant of the Boeing 737 model.

But the pressing issue remains. The lack of transparency surrounding the flights, including the identity of the charter companies and the criteria for selecting passengers, has fueled accusations of secrecy and potential abuse. The White House has shown its unpleasantness with a statement from Angelo Fernández Hernández, who is a White House spokesperson: 

"Yet again, Governor Abbott is showing how little regard or respect he has for human beings." He later added, "This latest political stunt just adds to his tally of extreme policies which seek to demonize and dehumanize people." 

The Politics 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been a vocal critic of the program, calling it "inhumane" and "a political ploy." He has mobilized city resources to provide shelter and support services to the newly arrived migrants but has also expressed frustration at the burden placed on Chicago's social safety net.

"We welcome newcomers to our city with open arms," Johnson said in a statement, "but Governor Abbott's decision to use our city as a pawn in his political game is unconscionable. These are families, not pawns, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

The situation in Chicago is just one facet of a larger, complex issue across the United States. The surge in migration at the southern border has become a political strong point, with both sides offering vastly different solutions and placing blame on the other. As the debate continues, the human cost of these political ploys remains a pressing concern.