After December’s record-breaking number of illegal alien encounters, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he will be sending National Guard troops from his state to assist Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in securing the Texas-Mexico border.
On Thursday, DeSantis held a press conference announcing that he will be deploying up to 1,000 troops to Texas. According to Fox News, a National Guard spokesperson said 100 soldiers are being sent initially.
“We are here to join as Floridians to say that we need to stop this invasion at our southern border once and for all,” said DeSantis during Thursday’s press conference.
In addition to the National Guard, the Florida State Guard will also be deployed, making it the first time they have been sent out of the state.
Two dozen other states have also voiced their support. Although some states have yet to say whether they will send troops, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is reportedly in talks with Texas about sending members of the Oklahoma National Guard.
Furthermore, Idaho’s Governor Brad Little authorized a small envoy of state troopers to the Lone Star State last week as he proclaimed January to be “Idaho Stands With Texas in Securing the Nation’s Border Month.”
The support comes as Texas is currently fighting multiple legal battles with the Biden administration over border security.
Currently, the Biden administration is threatening legal action after Texas seized Shelby Park—an Eagle Pass city park that has been a hotspot for illegal crossings.
Texas is also dealing with ongoing lawsuits regarding the federal government cutting down razor wire put up by the state and federal pushback against the state installing border buoys in the Rio Grande.
Meanwhile, Abbott has said that despite all the challenges, he will continue to “hold the line.”
“Texas continues to use every tool and strategy to secure our border. We will not back down,” Abbott wrote on X. “From building our own border wall, to installing new razor wire barriers, to deploying the Texas National Guard and Texas DPS, and more, Texas will hold the line.”
