DeSantis and Abbott have defended their migrant relocation programs by saying border towns have become overwhelmed by new arrivals. They have also used them to taunt blue states that have enacted policies extending services and protections.

Both California and cities throughout the state have passed “sanctuary” laws shielding immigrants from deportation — though asylum-seekers who have been processed and cleared by federal authorities have at least temporary legal status.

“Texas’ small border towns remain overwhelmed and overrun by the thousands of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico because of President Biden’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said in a statement. “Los Angeles is a major city that migrants seek to go to, particularly now that its city leaders approved its self-declared sanctuary city status.”

DeSantis, who has touted Florida transporting migrants to places like Martha’s Vineyard as he seeks the Republican presidential nomination, addressed the flights to Sacramento last week by faulting “sanctuary jurisdictions” for rising migration.

“When they have to deal with some of the fruits of that they all of a sudden become very, very upset about that,” DeSantis said during a visit to Arizona’s southern border.