Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed former Border Patrol Agent Mike Banks as Texas’ first-ever Border Czar. Banks will assist the governor in coordinating state border security efforts.
According to the governor’s office, “Border Czar Banks will report directly to Governor Abbott and ensure border security strategies are fully executed in Texas in the absence of meaningful federal action. He will collaborate daily with [Texas Military Department], [Texas Department of Public Safety], and other state agencies, local officials, and Texas landowners to carry out Operation Lone Star’s mission of deterring and repelling migrants from illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico.”
“For nearly two years, the State of Texas has taken unprecedented, historic action under Operation Lone Star in response to the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” said Abbott.
“Mike is the perfect choice to oversee Texas’ fight against the surge of illegal immigration, lethal drugs, and deadly weapons flowing into our state and nation. I have no doubt that Mike’s strong record of leadership and wealth of experience will provide Texans—and Americans—the level of border security expertise they deserve from a proper Border Czar,” Abbott continued, taking a potshot at U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as the Biden administration’s Border Czar.
Chris Russo, the president of Texans for Strong Borders, applauded Abbott’s appointment but insisted more needs to be done. “It is clear that when the federal government refuses to secure our borders, the states must step in and act,” he argued.
Russo continued:
At Texans for Strong Borders, we acknowledge that every foot of border wall built is a step towards border security and recognize that a Border Czar position could ease some administrative difficulties related to the border. However, it is ultimately up to Governor Abbott to formally declare an invasion under Article I, Section 10, of the U.S. Constitution and directly repel the invasion and return illegal border-crossers back to Mexico without waiting on the federal government to act.
“We repeat our call for him to stop the incrementalism and instead take the bold, decisive actions necessary to stop this deliberate invasion and keep Texans safe,” said Russo.
As illegal border crossings continue to soar, 43 Texas counties have already declared an invasion, calling on the state to take additional measures as the federal government fails to protect Texas.
The Center for Renewing America has laid out a step-by-step plan to stop the invasion at the Texas-Mexico border and secure the state using Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which says states shall not militarize “unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.”
By using the powers of office constitutionally allocated to the executive of each state, the governor can declare an invasion and secure the state’s sovereign borders himself in the absence of federal action.
Concerned citizens can contact the governor’s office to voice their opinions on the issue.
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