In a move that has sparked national attention, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has strengthened barriers along the Texas-Mexico border in the wake of a record surge in illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Asserting that the Biden administration has failed its duty to secure the border, Abbott has chosen to act independently, initiating a series of measures aimed at bolstering border security and staunching the flood of illegal border crossings that have taxed the state’s resources.
"Texas National Guard reinforces border with razor wire following Governor Abbott's orders."
This is on the border between Texas and NEW Mexico.
Migrants are entering New Mexico illegally then crossing into Texas.
We are stopping it.https://t.co/5ypt0HBJzw
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 10, 2023
The first inkling of this aggressive strategy emerged from images published by KFOX-TV, illustrating National Guard soldiers erecting razor-wire barriers along the border in West Texas, near Sunland Park, New Mexico. Citing an increase in migrants unlawfully entering New Mexico and subsequently crossing into Texas, Abbott has made his intention clear, declaring, “We are stopping it.”
Abbott, who last year initiated steps to curb the surge in illegal border crossings, signed an executive order deploying the Texas National Guard to halt the relentless flow of immigrants, and reiterated this plan in a recent post on X platform. He indicted the Biden Administration for neglecting their constitutional obligation to protect the states against invasions while enriching drug cartels through lax border policies. According to Abbott, the non-enforcement of immigration laws has empowered the cartels, facilitating the smuggling of people, weapons, and deadly drugs like fentanyl into the country.
Last month, Abbott amplified his efforts by sending assets of the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety troopers to Eagle Pass to beef up its border security. The move came after the border town’s mayor announced a disaster declaration due to increasing encounters with unauthorized migrants—an unprecedented 270,000 in the fiscal year 2023. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reportedly registered a stunning 10,000 individuals crossing from Mexico into the town in a single day—a phenomenon not observed since before the pandemic-era Title 42 policy, which sanctioned officials to repel migrants on public health grounds.
The situation has taken a toll on local resources and sparked apprehension among residents. Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas vocalized these concerns, acknowledging the strain of the sudden population influx, with shelters overflowing and migrants spilling into the streets. The state’s response, under Abbott’s orders, has been swift and resolute.
In conclusion, Governor Abbott’s decisive actions illustrate Texas’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the current immigration crisis—a crisis fueled by an administration rockey to act according to its mandate. As federal inaction continues to strain state resources and embolden illicit entities, Texas stands as a potent example of state-led initiatives pushing back against untenable immigration policies. This new approach dares to disrupt a worrying trend, forging a path towards a solution that prioritizes local security and a tighter rein on border control. The precedent set in Texas, while bold, may be the harbinger of the new wave of state responses to a problem left unchecked by those in Washington.
