# Why are the Feds not paying for the refugees? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 5, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646 "2024-01-05T14:33:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/161 "2024-01-11T07:19:28Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Or, it could be that the numbers from Canada are so much lower that it’s not seen to be such a problem. Sure. Okay then tell me. Just WHY is the GOP all het up about immigration- other than racism? I mean, those migrant workers are a huge source of cheap labor for their farms and ranches. So, why? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/162 "2024-01-11T07:42:04Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Let’s build a wall. Cover it in windmills and solar panels so it generates clean energy. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/163 "2024-01-11T09:01:53Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > So is it fair that Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California should bear all of the burden of our country’s, flawed unenforced, immigration laws, simply because all of congress doesn’t want to address it? Since it’s the politicians in those states who want to cut funding to everything in the government rather than pay to run the system… maybe to some extent? Except it’s not fair to the average taxpayer in those states. Maybe we can force the politicians to give the money they take in bribes and from special interests to fund things like judges and such? Not to mention that those same politicians are in the party that is refusing to actually sit down and work out solutions to the border and immigration problems. But… no, it’s not fair for the people next to the border to bear all of these burdens. It’s not fair to randomly dump migrants into other cities, though - not fair to the citizens of those cities and most certainly not fair to the migrants being used as pawns. So… my sympathy for the Red border states moaning about the problem(s) is limited, because they do nothing constructive to deal with it, indeed, they are engaged in obstruction and chaos. They are making things worse, not better, so some powerful men can score political points. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/164 "2024-01-11T15:12:48Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > But… no, it’s not fair for the people next to the border to bear all of these burdens. It’s not fair to randomly dump migrants into other cities, though - not fair to the citizens of those cities and most certainly not fair to the migrants being used as pawns. So what’s the plan? So far I hear a lot of blaming Abbott and blaming Congress but very little about what Biden should do about it. Why do they allow a governor to run the immigration system? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/165 "2024-01-11T15:46:04Z")
Fun Fact, according to [Texas](https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-illegal-immigration-costs-texas-taxpayers-over-850-million-each-year), it costs them $850M per year to support illegal criminal immigrants. They respond to this by gleefully spending $2,000M per year on Operation Lone Star. I have been unable to find any requests from Texas to the Feds to help pay for the $850M that the Feds are sticking them with, only requests that the Feds magic up a way to “protect” our country from poor brown people who want to work. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/166 "2024-01-11T16:01:16Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > In the **octopus** view of the world, what defines a secure border? I suspect it involves minefields and machinegun towers. > [@SunUp](#): > > And how much would it cost? Our self-image of moral leadership in the world. Once you go full East Germany, you can never go back. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/167 "2024-01-11T16:21:38Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > I suspect it involves minefields and machinegun towers. Texas made death traps to drown people, so they’re taking baby steps at least. > **[‘Death trap’ marine barrier draws criticisms after body found in Texas buoys](https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/death-trap-marine-barrier-draws-criticisms-after-body-found-in-texas-buoys/)** > > Criticisms were harsh and from several organizations and Mexican officials on Thursday after reports that a body had been found in the new marine buoy barrier that the state has put in the Rio Gran… ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/168 "2024-01-11T17:00:11Z")
Besides the multiple proposals he’s put to Congress? He’s President, not King. What do you suggest he _does_? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/169 "2024-01-11T17:15:25Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > What do you suggest he _does_? #1: Get an injunction to prevent Abbott from unilaterally shipping migrants around the country. Considering Abbott is usurping Federal power, can we get him for insurrection or like I saw on a documentary called _Designated Survivor_, Biden goes to Austin and personally arrest Abbott for treason? #2: Open FEDERAL spaces to house refugees until their (theoretically) expedited hearings. #3: Move funds given currently to Texas for immigrants and give it to the cities he has sent migrants to. I find it hard to believe that Biden has so little actual power that he cannot do **anything**. It’s not like he’s the King of the United Kingdom. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/170 "2024-01-11T17:26:35Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I saw on a documentary called _Designated Survivor_ Sorry, I watched that show and liked it, so your comment amuses me and I have to high-five you for it. 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/171 "2024-01-11T17:33:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > If they were blonde, blue eyes and white of skin, they’d be welcomed. (We do have a significant number of undocumented workers from Canada too, but they are okay- right? because they aren’t brown and they speak English 🙄 ) If that were the case then one would think that immigrants from the British isles and Australia/New Zealand would have no trouble at all; but surprisingly even they have difficulty getting permanent visas or USA citizenship. > [@SunUp](#): > > what defines a secure border? I suppose minefields are out of the question? ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/172 "2024-01-11T17:34:30Z")
So, we have, in order: 1. Arrest a governor for treason 2. Work with Abbott (who refuses to work with anyone) to drop refugees in Yellowstone in the middle of winter Well, these can be tossed, because I’m pretty sure Biden isn’t a moron. 3. He HAS done that, through FEMA, and I’m sure would love to do more. But there’s a limit to it without Congressional approval. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/173 "2024-01-11T19:27:52Z")
Great job mischaracterizing my points. Trying to set up strawmen I see. 1. Get (or at least try for) an injunction to stop Abbott from moving migrants across state lines. 2. Ummmm … never talked about Abbott being part of it. The Feds on their own move refugees to federal property. Please cite where I specified Yellowstone in winter. 3. I doubt he has used every last dollar he can. It will cost Denver $180,000,000 next year to help the refugees. We got $11M total in aid. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/174 "2024-01-11T19:38:43Z")
I’m sorry I used your own words for #1. Because that’s pretty much where your “get an injunction” will eventually lead. Abbott has already broken the law. Another piece of paper doesn’t change anything for him. #2, it has been pointed out the Feds aren’t the ones moving refugees, aside from VERY minimal amounts. Abbott is. Thus, Abbott is part of it, in fact, the main part of it. Do you have other federal lands available beyond federal parks and the like? Should we put them on military bases? Because that DEFINITELY sounds like something that won’t be blown out of proportion and misused. #3, I honestly don’t care about your “doubts”. As I said earlier - there have been multiple proposals put before Congress to help with the entire issue, including the first one introduced literally a month after Biden took office. Again, he’s President, not King. There are limits to his authority without the approval of Congress. I’m sorry Biden isn’t thumbing his nose at literally everyone enough for you. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/175 "2024-01-11T20:19:30Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > I’m sorry I used your own words for #1. Just get the joke man. Hint: look up _Designated Survivor_ and see if it is really a documentary. > [@Chisquirrel](#): > > #2 I’m not going to play this game with you. Maybe you really did misread my joke in #1 and missed the point on the injunction although I doubt it. But you deliberately mischaracterized “federal lands” into “Yellowstone in winter” just to make it into an argument and make me sound like I am proposing “Let them all freeze to death.” I don’t think you want an honest dialogue so go ahead and make it a soliloquy. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/176 "2024-01-11T20:48:15Z")
Thank you for literally characterizing my entire post in less than two sentences while ignoring the rest. Because why actually respond to the meat of the post when you can just…well, whatever that was. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/177 "2024-01-11T21:09:25Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Fun Fact, according to [Texas](https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-illegal-immigration-costs-texas-taxpayers-over-850-million-each-year), it costs them $850M per year to support illegal criminal immigrants. Very few are criminals. > [@Lumpy](#): > > If that were the case then one would think that immigrants from the British isles and Australia/New Zealand would have no trouble at all; but surprisingly even they have difficulty getting permanent visas or USA citizenship. Sure, there are quotas, but you dont hear the GOP complaining about them. Again, I ask- what’s wrong with letting in most of the refugees and giving them work permits? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/178 "2024-01-11T21:28:15Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > The Feds on their own move refugees to federal property. Please cite where I specified Yellowstone in winter. Then what Federal property are you referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/179 "2024-01-11T21:29:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > what Federal property You know, the empty one. With the apartments. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646/180 "2024-01-11T21:34:46Z")
Can you imagine the Republican outrage if the Feds tried to do what Saint\_Cad proposes. Cries of “Government Overreach!!!” would be all over the news. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-feds-not-paying-for-the-refugees/995646.md?page=10)