Jamiesfeast – Surrounded by 13 Republican governors on Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reaffirmed his authority over a portion of the southern U.S. border and vowed to extend the scope of that area. This ongoing dispute between the outspoken GOP leader and President Joe Biden’s administration continues to escalate.
Abbott addressed the press conference in Eagle Pass, accompanied by his GOP governor counterparts. The small border town, situated next to the city of Piedras Negras in Mexico, served as the backdrop for their discussion. Prior to facing the cameras, Abbott briefed the governors on Operation Lone Star, a response to the ongoing border crisis.
Bill Lee, the Governor of Tennessee and Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, expressed his readiness to support Abbott by sending additional troops from his own state to the border.
Tennessee, along with 13 other states, including Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, has already sent personnel and resources to support Operation Lone Star.
Abbott was joined by a group of governors who attended the event. Among them were Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Gov. Jill Pillen, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.
The federal government may have control over immigration policy, but Governor Abbott has been engaged in a fierce battle with the Biden administration regarding border enforcement in recent months. It all started with a disagreement over the authority of Texas authorities to lay razor wire and station state troops at the border. However, Governor Abbott has since asserted that Texas has been left to fend for itself.
In December, Abbott made headlines by signing a Texas law called SB4 that granted state officers the power to enforce immigration laws.
Texas has consistently disregarded the immigration orders of the Biden Administration, even in the face of a Supreme Court ruling that permitted federal agents to remove the razor wire installed by state authorities. However, the ruling did not address whether Texas should cease laying the wire in the first place.
In a recent incident, tensions escalated as Texas National Guard troops took control of Shelby Park, a public space in Eagle Pass, and prevented federal Border Patrol agents from entering. Governor Abbott reaffirmed the actions of the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety, stating that they are committed to maintaining control over the situation.
According to Abbott, the border control efforts in Eagle Pass are only the starting point. He informed reporters that the Texas National Guard is currently engaged in operations to further enhance and expand these efforts.
“We have no intention of confining ourselves to this park alone. Our objective is to extend our reach to other areas as well, in order to enhance our ability to deter and prevent illegal entry into the United States.”
“It’s time, Joe Biden. It’s your responsibility, your obligation, to abide by the laws that Congress has enacted and ensure the security of our borders, just like Texas has,” Governor Abbott emphasized.
Lt. Col. Freeman Martin, the deputy director of Texas DPS’s Homeland Security Operations, emphasized the life-saving importance of razor wire and buoy barriers placed in the Rio Grande River during a meeting with visiting governors. According to The Texas Tribune, Lt. Col. Martin stated, “The razor wire and buoy barriers save lives.”
During the press conference, Abbott asserted that gang members, including individuals on the terrorist watch list, were frequently apprehended.
In a joint statement issued in January, 25 Republican governors expressed their support for Governor Greg Abbott and the State of Texas in their efforts to defend the border. They firmly believe that Texas has a legal right to take action and are in solidarity with Governor Abbott, emphasizing the importance of utilizing all available tools and strategies, including the use of razor wire fences, to secure the border. While only 13 governors were present at the recent gathering, the statement highlights the widespread support among Republican governors for Texas’ border security measures.
Just before the announcement of a long-awaited bill by U.S. senators proposing significant changes to the country’s border and immigration policies, the Sunday appearance took place. However, facing criticism from the GOP, the future of the bill remains uncertain.
On Saturday, the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden had a conversation with President Andrรฉs Manuel Lรณpez Obrador of Mexico. During their discussion, they focused on the challenges at the shared border and expressed their commitment to maintaining a productive partnership.
In a joint statement, it was emphasized that the two leaders are committed to strengthening their collaborative efforts in countering transnational criminal organizations engaged in the illegal trafficking of drugs, guns, and people. The shared commitment of both leaders was reiterated, highlighting the importance of close cooperation between the two governments. Furthermore, their aim is to enhance the well-being of both Americans and Mexicans, while also advancing opportunities across the Western Hemisphere.