Climate Emergency question: Should migrants be evacuated from dangerous southern states and taken to safety in California and the Northeast?
Dangerous heat continues to afflict major portions of the U.S., including migrant-rich areas in Texas. Here’s the latest map from the New York Times of where 125-degree Fahrenheit conditions might be encountered:
We’re able to keep our house at a furry golden retriever-approved 72 degrees (and the garage at 78) by paying Florida Power and Light about $450/month (also runs the pool pump, the hot water circulation pump, lights, fridge, etc.). Recent undocumented immigrants, however, may not enjoy the luxury of a comfortable air-conditioned home fed by a bomb-proof power grid and/or, due to the stinginess of Republicans, may not have $450/month to hand over to the electric company.
Politicians running sanctuary cities and states have previously complained about buses of asylum-seekers from, e.g., Texas, arriving to claim sanctuary (example: the New York righteous fight amongst themselves). But the same politicians who run sanctuary cities also talk about a “climate crisis” (NYC Mayor Eric Adams, for example).
Instead of waiting for Texans to send migrants out of what the NYT says is “Danger”, wouldn’t it make more sense for governors and mayors in California and the Northeast to send Climate Emergency Escape buses to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina? Anyone who can prove that he/she/ze/they is undocumented (by presenting documents?) would be invited to hop on the bus and escape to climate safety/sanctuary.
If we have an “emergency” (and/or “crisis”) and also “danger” why aren’t there evacuations for the most vulnerable?
Related:
- “Massachusetts governor declares [sanctuary] state of emergency over migrant influx” (NY Post, today): Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency Tuesday over the flood of migrants pouring into her deep blue state and straining emergency resources.
- “Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Creating Massachusetts’ First Ever Climate Chief” (January 6, 2023): “The climate crisis is Massachusetts’ greatest challenge, but there is enormous opportunity in our response,” said Governor Healey.
- “Boston protestors call on Gov. Maura Healey to lead the fight against climate change” (January 26, 2023): A group of activists advocating for climate justice are calling on Gov. Maura Healey to lead the fight against climate change. … “You cannot speak about climate without talking about poverty, without talking about racism, militarism, and everything that goes along with needing clean air,” said Savina Martin of the Massachusetts Poor People Campaign.