Texas Governor Greg Abbott is very frustrated with the lack of concern the Biden administration has shown about the crisis at the border of his state. So frustrated, in fact, that he is considering invoking war powers, and declaring an invasion, to give him increased authority at the border.
Abbott has tried multiple ways to stop the massive influx of immigrants into his state, but his efforts haven’t helped much. According to Hal Bowles, a Maverick County deputy constable, “the governor is trying,” but still “everybody is coming in.”
Some of the things Abbott has tried are sending thousands of National Guard troops to sit at border posts, ordering safety inspections of trucks coming from Mexico, constructing 20 miles of new border fencing, using state prisons to hold migrants charged with trespassing, paying for buses to take immigrants from Texas to Washington and spending a lot of money.
Governor Abbott clearly intends to keep fighting the battle that the federal government has ignored. One of his most recent considerations is using a part of the Constitution of the United States that says states cannot engage in war unless “actually invaded.” This can be found in Article One, Section 10, Clause 3 and states:
“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.”
While Abbott is considering making use of this provision, he does have concerns. “If we do use this strategy, it could expose law enforcement in the state of Texas to being prosecuted,” he said. It would also put him in a direct conflict with the federal government.
Meanwhile, Texas & Mexico held their first joint training operation on the Rio Grande which is the result of agreements between Texas & four Mexican states to better secure the border.
“Texas is doing what Biden SHOULD be doing—working with Mexico to curb illegal immigration,” Governor Abbott wrote on Twitter.
Do you think Abbot should invoke the war powers?
