Texas Governor Greg Abbott has authorized the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to the southern border in response to what he characterizes as an “invasion” of undocumented migrants, as stated in a letter addressed to President Joe Biden.
According to Newsmax, Abbott conveyed his declaration of an “invasion” on social media platform X, attributing it to the policies enacted by the Biden administration. In response to this perceived threat, the state of Texas has initiated a multi-pronged approach, involving the deployment of the Texas National Guard, Department of Public Safety personnel, and local law enforcement. The state is actively constructing a border wall, employing razor wire, and implementing marine barriers. Additionally, efforts are underway to deter and prevent the entry of migrants.
Furthermore, Governor Abbott has accused federal border agents of tampering with state-installed razor wire in Eagle Pass, which reportedly facilitated the entry of undocumented migrants into U.S. territory. Expressing concern over this situation, Abbott swiftly dispatched additional Texas National Guard troops to reinforce border security and enhance razor wire installations.
Governor Abbott had previously criticized President Biden in a letter dated November 16, 2022, for what he deemed to be a lack of action in curbing the influx of illegal migrants into Texas. The letter cited the unprecedented volume of over 2 million illegal immigration attempts within the past year, originating from more than 100 countries worldwide. Abbott contended that under the current administration, the U.S.-Mexico border had earned the title of the “deadliest land crossing” according to the United Nations.
In his letter, Abbott detailed the adverse effects of this situation on Texas residents, including disruptions to ranches, increased vulnerability of homes to intrusion, and ongoing challenges posed by human traffickers and bailouts. Furthermore, he highlighted the alarming rise in deadly fentanyl crossings across the porous border, noting that it had become the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18 to 45.
Governor Abbott’s actions followed the installation of razor wire and buoys in the Rio Grande River, a move that faced legal challenges from the Biden administration for alleged violations of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
State Senator Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat running against Republican Senator Ted Cruz, voiced his opposition to Governor Abbott’s actions. Gutierrez characterized them as “inhumane” and claimed that citizens in the affected area were resisting these measures. He emphasized the need for genuine solutions to address border security and overhaul the immigration system, positioning this as a departure from what he perceived as Senator Cruz’s negligence in the matter.