Migrants bussed to dc helped by local organizations

Politicians are using migrants as political pawns to gain conservative votes. During his administration, President Trump blamed immigrants for many of the nation’s problems. COVID created a sense of panic that allowed Trump to enact Title 42,  which allowed the US to refuse admission to migrants who pose a threat to the security or health of the nation. 

Prior to COVID, getting asylum in the United States was easier. Title 42 granted the right to the  Border Patrol to deny entry to all migrants.  While waiting for an asylum decision, immigrants were kept in confinement. Because of policies that require a certain “standard of care” children were placed in separate confinement camps from their parents.

Newly elected President Biden called to end the act. However, Title 42 was not terminated. Texas had an influx of nearly 2.9 million migrants in August 2020 and Title 42 was the most effective method to deport migrants. As a result, many politicians called for the act to remain. The supreme court stopped Biden from ending the use of Title 42. Due to the lack of response from Biden, the Texas governor began to bus migrants.

In a press release, Governor Abbott said: 

“The Biden-Harris Administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border, which has endangered and overwhelmed Texas communities for almost two years," said Governor Abbott. "Our supposed Border Czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, has yet to even visit the border to see firsthand the impact of the open border policies she has helped implement, even going so far as to claim the border is ‘secure.’ Texas will continue sending migrants to sanctuary cities like Washington, D.C. until President Biden and Border Czar Harris step up and do their jobs to secure the border.”

Migrants who are allowed to stay in the US are given the option to be transported to other major cities. Estimates of more than 9,100 immigrants have arrived in DC. It is voluntary, and migrants do not pay the state to be transported. Texas spent more than $14,116,303.33 on Wynne Transportation as of August. This amount covers bus mileage, driver pay, and other assorted transportation costs. 

Migrants are left at Union Station, as roughly 10- 15 % end up staying in DC. Texas Governor Abott chose DC because of the capital's amenities. Despite these amenities, Washingtonians complain about access to them. Due to the continuous arrival of new migrants, it is difficult to get resources. New arrivals are already being referred to homeless shelters. Nomas Hampton Inn, a hotel that was used to quarantine COVID patients, is now a shelter for asylum seekers bused to DC. 

Migrants are grateful for the protection and care but do not receive the same resources and opportunities as Washingtonians. They are not given access to case managers, local programs, or counselors from the state. No spokesperson from Mayor Bowser or the DC Department of Human Services commented on the accusations of unfair treatment. Mayor Bowser argues that this is a federal issue demanding the Biden administration to respond. She would like to put the responsibility on the Biden Administration to be able to focus on assisting DC residents.    

DC Mayor Bowser and President Biden should provide more aid. The mayor has the power to direct contingency funding to aid. Despite the shortcomings, DC mutual aid volunteers give as much support as possible.

Organizations have provided migrants with medical aid, shelter, and food. 

NeeNee Taylor, a co-founder of Harriet's Wildest Dreams, secured hotel rooms for about two dozen migrants.  Kate-Brooke Davidson of CARECEN provided hotel rooms as well. Due to continuous arrivals, they could only supply so much. Working with limited resources, some have taken issue with Bowser's response. These organizers are not receiving any help from federal or local governments. They are raising funds and collecting donations to maintain costs. The one non-profit who received government assistance only showed up sporadically. SAMU, an international nonprofit, is the only organization that has received federal grants. SAMU spent $90,000 of their $1 million grant in just over a month, which only covered 30% of transportation cost. "It is not the expectation of FEMA that we take care of everybody — it is to provide support to as many [people we can]." -Tatiana Laborde, director of operations at SAMU

I had a chance to speak with Fariha, an organizer with the Migrant Solidarity Network. The Migrant Solidarity Network is a coalition of the Beloved Community Incubator. They are supported by Sanctuary DMV, Peace House DC, and others. They want migrants to experience a humane transition to living in DC. Their focus is to provide immediate support regardless of government regulations. They have been assisting with the situation since the arrival of bus number 2 in DC in March. They provided tickets for migrants to further destinations, along with placement at volunteers' houses. The Migrant Solidarity Network’s intent is also to create relationships with migrants as they become members of the community. Their solidarity has created numerous opportunities including a free store that provides groceries, clothes and other essentials. They are also working to provide a medic center.  They have also created a mutual aid hospitality house, a 4 bedroom home in Petworth with a basement apartment. The Petworth House serves as short term housing for people who are waiting for a family member from whom they were separated at the border. It serves as medium/longer term housing for families with more complex housing needs. Peace House DC is working with other organizations to provide matching funds for the project and are currently launching a grassroots fundraising effort.

When asked to describe a typical week during the height of the migrants being bussed to DC Fariha answered:

“Buses arrive 6 days per week with 30-50 people per bus. At this juncture, approximately half of them arrive at night between 8-10 pm. We would use the Washington Seminar Center to provide one night housing to provide safe respite until our intake sites open up at 7 am. We have secured a matching grant from Capitol Hill United Methodist Church towards this effort and are working with other local congregations to match.”

Texas started sending migrants to other big cities, so the number of migrants coming to DC has dropped. The local government has slowly started stepping in requiring the organizations to pass background checks in order to assist.  Although the government is finally stepping in, DC still needs assistance to help migrants.

The Migrant Solidarity Network believes in community organizing and safety. For more information and to get involved you can click the link below and also view the interview with Fariha.

Excerpts from an interview with longtime activist and community organizer Fariha of Peace House DC and the Migrant Solidarity Network.

* editors note: Peace House DC is fiscally sponsored by Grassroots DC.

* Corrections were made from our original version: The Beloved Community Incubator or BCI is a coalition partner with the Migrant Solidarity Network. Harriet's Wildest Dreams is a supporter but not a part of the Migrant Solidarity coalition. Harriet's Wildest Dreams and BLM-DC donated money in the very beginning and they used them for housing. The network responded since Bus #2 (not Bus #1) which was in March.