Texas Gov. Greg Abbot's Plan to Bus Migrants to D.C. Receives Pushback From Jen Psaki; White House Press Secretary Calls It 'Publicity Stunt'

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday slammed Texas Governor Greg Abbott's plan to deliver the migrants into Washington D.C. by bus, calling it a "publicity stunt."

According to New York Post, Psaki made her comments during her daily briefing, where she was asked about what preparations the Biden administration has made to find migrants places to stay following Abbott's claims.

Psaki then pointed out that the Texas governor has no legal authority to forcibly move migrants out of their state, enforce federal immigration law, and take actions across the state lines, The Independent reported.

"Well I'm not aware of what authority the governor would be doing that under, I think it's pretty clear that this is a publicity stunt," Psaki's said.

The White House press secretary then emphasized that the enforcement of the United States' immigration laws lies in the hands of the federal government and not the states.

Lawmakers' Reaction to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Plans

Psaki was not the only official to react to Abbott's plan regarding the migrants on the southern border.

On Wednesday, former Democratic U.S. Congressman Beto O'Rourke slammed Abbott saying that Texas could have made real progress on the issue of migrants over the last seven years if the Texas governor focused on solutions instead of stunts, per The Guardian.

O'Rourke is running for Texas governor this year as Abbott faces re-election.

Texas Republican Matt Schaefer took to Twitter to call Abbott's plans a gimmick.

Meanwhile, ACLU Staff Attorney Kate Huddleston noted in a statement that the forcible bussing of migrants across the country is "blatantly constitutional."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Plan to Migrants

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced at a press conference in Welasco on Wednesday that the state is prepared in delivering migrants to Washington D.C., where President Joe Biden can easily address the needs of the people entering the United States.

Abbott also pointed out that he ordered the Texas Division of Emergency Management to seize control of the project.

Reports noted that state officials are ready to deploy up to 900 charter buses with migrants.

On Thursday, Governor Gregg Abbott echoed on Twitter the announcement of his plans for migrants.

"President Biden refuses to come to the southern border to see the chaos he has created. So, we're taking the border to him," Abbott underscored.

Abbott claimed that he had to make the move because the policies of the Biden administration will allow thousands of migrants to cross the border. The governor furthered that the surge will overwhelm the communities in the Lone Star State, the Post pointed out.

Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office clarified that the program is completely voluntary for migrants and will only happen if they are processed and released by the Department of Homeland Security.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Texas Orders New Border Action, Migrant Bus Charters to D.C. - From Los Angeles Times