Pete Hendrickson (@LostHorizons)

Aliens Wandering Around Texas ARE Illegals, Judge Napolitano ...and Abbott and DeSantis should be lauded, both for their faithful regard for their duty and for their political acumen. I'M GENERALLY APPRECIATIVE of Andrew Napolitano's contributions to the public discourse. But in a recent article, Napolitano has aired a criticism of Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis with which I am compelled to take issue. In his article Napolitano angrily accuses Abbott and DeSantis of crimes-- including kidnapping and human trafficking. The alleged offenses occur in connection with the transport of small numbers of illegal aliens from the random locations in Texas where they have found themselves after sneaking across the US (and Texas, and private property) borders to other places within the United States (most notably to Martha's Vineyard, to which DeSantis famously flew 48 or 50 of these aliens). Napolitano is quite correct, I believe, in asserting that the relocations are done to make a political point, rather than out of direct concern for the well-being of the aliens. But he misses (or disregards) the point that the relocations are done out of concern for the well-being of American citizens, to whom Abbott and DeSantis have a duty. Napolitano also overstates his case concerning the legal status of the aliens and the legal character of the relocations, asserting that the aliens are in the USA legally and asserting without evidence that their willing participation in the relocations is somehow accomplished by at least fraud (which Napolitano equates with "force"), if not worse. I can't address the particulars of how the aliens were enticed to take the transports offered by Abbott and DeSantis. I imagine that these enticements involved pointing out to the aliens that as things stood, they were languishing in a harsh climate in districts without much available hospitality and in which they were decidedly not wanted, while elsewhere could be found "sanctuary cities" in which they would declaredly be welcome and which offered far greater opportunities for jobs and social services. As said, though, I can only speculate on this issue. But I can say a few things about the legal status of these aliens. Continued: https://losthorizons.com/N/212.htm#3