In a powerful statement released on Wednesday, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott took aim at President Joe Biden and his administration for the ongoing border crisis. Abbott made it clear that his state would take the necessary steps to protect itself, despite the federal government’s failure to address the immigration issue.
“The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States,” Abbott wrote. “The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now. President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them.”
Abbott’s criticism didn’t stop there. He accused Biden of neglecting his constitutional responsibilities and instead choosing to look the other way as illegal immigration rates continue to soar. “The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration,” Abbott wrote. “Despite having been put on notice in a series of letters, President Biden has ignored Texas’s demand that he perform his constitutional duties.”
The governor also took issue with Biden’s efforts to challenge Texas’s actions to secure the border. He argued that instead of prosecuting illegal immigrants for the federal crime of illegal entry, Biden has put his own lawyers to work suing Texas for taking action to protect its citizens. Abbott also pointed out that Biden’s policies have created dangers for those attempting to enter the country at points other than the 28 legal entry points from Mexico.
Abbott’s letter drew heavily from the founding fathers and emphasized the state’s right to protect itself. “This illegal refusal to protect the States has inflicted unprecedented harm on the People all across the United States,” Abbott wrote. He further noted that the estimated six million illegal immigrants who have entered the country under Biden’s watch are more than the population of 33 different states.
My statement on Texas’ constitutional right to self-defense. pic.twitter.com/seNFZdmujP
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 24, 2024
The Texas governor was also unapologetic about his state’s actions, stating, “I have already declared an invasion… to invoke Texas’s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself.” He argued that this authority supersedes any federal statutes and that the Texas National Guard and other state personnel are acting on that authority to secure the border.
The video that went viral on social media Wednesday showing Texas National Guard troops installing new razor wire near Eagle Pass, Texas, served as further proof of Abbott’s stance on the issue.
WATCH
NEW: Texas Military doubling down by installing more razor wire and anti-climb fencing in Shelby Park. This coming after SCOTUS ruling that allows border patrol agents to cut through the razor wire.
Texas officials have seized control of Shelby Park – we have not seen BP agents… pic.twitter.com/6PPOXtAwJE
— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) January 23, 2024
Abbott’s stance essentially serves as a challenge to Biden to send in federal forces to prevent Texas’s agencies from protecting its citizens from the ongoing border crisis. Abbott makes it clear that his state will not stand idly by and will exercise its constitutional right to defend itself.