With more than 10,000 illegal aliens flooding across the border in Del Rio alone, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is deflecting blame towards the federal government.
Over the past week, thousands of aliens—many from Haiti—have began to gather at an international bridge in Del Rio in an attempt to enter the United States. The move is just the latest development in a surge of illegal immigration that has swept the southern border since President Joe Biden took office in January.
On Thursday, Abbott said he would close six points of entry with Mexico, which would have been an extraordinary move.
But just hours later, Abbott reversed his decision, blaming the Biden administration for not cooperating.
“Six hours after U.S. Customs and Border Protection requested help from Texas to close ports of entry and secure the border, the Biden Administration has now flip-flopped to a different strategy that abandons border security and instead makes it easier for people to cross illegally and for cartels to exploit the border,” said Abbott. “The Biden Administration is in complete disarray and is handling the border crisis as badly as the evacuation from Afghanistan. I have directed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to maintain their presence at and around ports of entry to deter crossings.”
Meanwhile, Dave Carney—a political consultant and close advisor to Gov. Abbott—took to Twitter to blame members of Congress for not acting, saying they were “the only ones who have the power to act.”
How about members of Congress step up & bring some order the border. Your are the only ones who have the power to act. #DoYourJob Discharge petitions still work
Every voter should demand their members of Congress act now or don’t seek reelection. Posturing is not a solution.— Dave Carney (@granitewinger) September 17, 2021
The tweet appears to be in response to U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who said the state should ignore the Biden administration and “take control of the border.”
Shut. It. Down. No choice… ignore whatever Biden team says, and take control of the border. It’s time. https://t.co/LH6qOwR7Qu
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) September 17, 2021
Despite illegal immigration being an ongoing problem in Texas since Abbott took office in 2015, Abbott has heightened his attention to the issue in recent months, as some of his Republican primary challengers have taken him to task. Former State Sen. Don Hufines says, if elected, he will “act immediately to engage the Texas Military, DPS, and other necessary personnel to secure the border, finish the wall, and shut down the ports of entry to commercial traffic.”
Former Texas GOP Chairman Allen West says, among other border security actions, he will mobilize the “full strength of our Texas National Guard and Texas State Guard” to stop cartel smuggling and trafficking into Texas and end taxpayer-funded perks for illegal immigrants.
Chad Prather, another candidate in the race, has said he will “prioritize hot spot areas,” enforce already existing border security laws, “appoint a Texas Border Commander/Chief to oversee and coordinate protection efforts,” and “not allow sanctuary cities in Texas.”
