Grassroots organizations such as Texans for Strong Borders, the Texas GOP, and True Texas Project, as well as policy experts, are prioritizing border security ahead of Texas’ 88th Legislative Session.
“Visibility is so high on this crisis, we may actually get this done,” Chris Russo, president of Texans for Strong Borders, told Texas Scorecard.
Texans for Strong Borders is advocating for a legislative resolution declaring an invasion and for dedicating a portion of the state budget to repelling the invasion.
“The fact that it’s happening on this scale means Texas has to do something,” said Russo.
The Texas GOP has made securing the border and protecting Texans one of eight legislative priorities for the session, with expectations that the Legislature will direct the governor to enter into an interstate compact for border security.
However, True Texas Project acknowledged that Gov. Greg Abbott ultimately holds the power to secure the border.
“The only solution is for Gov. Abbott to stand up and actually do something instead of just talking about it,” Fran Rhodes, president of True Texas Project, told Texas Scorecard. However, Rhodes does expect the Legislature to make monetary appropriations to facilitate necessary border security efforts.
This sentiment was echoed by Wade Miller, executive director of the think tank Center for Renewing America, which has put forth the plan for states to declare invasions and defend the border using Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution.
“The state of Texas has the power to remove/repel (not deport) illegal border crossers back into Mexico under an invasion declaration,” explained Miller. “Until then, but perhaps to a slightly lesser degree, they are responsible for the out of control open borders problem facing Texans, along with President Biden, DHS Secretary Mayorkas, and AG Garland.”
“The status quo is not a solution, and adhering to the status quo is tacit admission that they won’t do anything about the problem,” Miller told Texas Scorecard. “That’s unacceptable from federal or state leadership.”
The 88th Legislative Session begins Tuesday, January 10.
Citizens can use Texas Scorecard’s Elected Officials Directory to contact their lawmakers.
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