In a recent move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a flight carrying over 180 migrants was dispatched to New York City as part of the state's efforts to transport migrants to "sanctuary" cities. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the plane was diverted to Philadelphia, causing controversy and criticism from local officials.

Abbott's office confirmed that the migrants boarded the plane destined for New York City but had to be rerouted to Philadelphia due to a weather-related ground stoppage in NYC. The passengers were then transported to their intended destination via bus.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams' office expressed frustration over the situation, decrying the diverted flight as "inhumane" and accusing Abbott of using human beings as political pawns. Adams' office has long raised concerns about the increasing number of migrants the city receives and their impact on local resources.

This flight diversion is the latest in Abbott's efforts to address the migrant situation. Last week, another flight carrying 120 migrants was sent to Chicago. Sources from Abbott's office informed Fox that all migrants signed voluntary waivers, a practice also followed when using buses for transportation.

The flights represent an expansion of Abbott's strategy, which began in April 2022 with the bussing of migrants to Washington, D.C. This approach was later extended to other cities deemed as "sanctuaries" for limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Abbott's office revealed that over 82,900 migrants have been bussed to various cities, including Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles. The governor argues that this operation provides much-needed relief to border towns, and he pledges to continue until the border is secured under President Biden's administration.

The controversial move has drawn anger from mayors and the Biden administration, with accusations of political grandstanding being leveled against Abbott. Despite the criticisms, Texas maintains that it is taking action to alleviate the burden faced by border towns during the ongoing migrant crisis.

In New York City, the influx of migrants transported by Texas has exacerbated an existing crisis. Mayor Adams has repeatedly called for additional federal assistance, warning that the situation could potentially "destroy" the city. Over the past year, the city's shelter system has accommodated more than 160,000 migrants, placing immense strain on resources.

Adams' deputy mayor for communications, Fabien Levy, highlighted the staggering number of "rogue buses" that arrived in New York City in a single night last week, the highest recorded to date. Adams expressed his frustration at the lack of progress and support from the federal government in a recent press conference.

The Biden administration cites the funding provided to cities like New York City, as well as the deployment of teams to assist with processing work permits and making recommendations for improvement. Additional funds are being sought from Congress through a budget supplemental. However, the supplemental has encountered delays as lawmakers debate further restrictions on asylum.

As the debate rages on in Washington, D.C., November witnessed a record-breaking number of migrant encounters at the southern border, with over 242,000 reported by federal officials. The situation remains dire, and both local officials and the Biden administration wrestle with finding a comprehensive solution to address the ongoing migrant crisis.