Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared an invasion at the southern border authorizing “unprecedented measures” to defend the state on Monday.
The declaration comes a week after Abbott secured a third term as Governor of Texas handily defeating Democratic opponent Beto O’Rourke. Abbott has authorized the measures through powers granted to him by the Invasion Clauses of the United States and Texas Constitutions.
Abbott’s announcement follows a Monday letter assuring Texas will Continue Comprehensive Border Security Efforts following next congress’ swearing in.
“President Biden has abandoned his responsibility to enforce immigration laws, and Congress has refused to hold the President accountable and has abandoned its own responsibility to use the immigration power given to it in Article I, § 8 of the U.S. Constitution,” reads the letter. “Just two years ago, we had the fewest illegal crossings in decades. This past year under President Biden, an all-time record was set for the number of immigrants crossing the border illegally.”
The letter continued:
Texas has forcefully responded to Biden’s open border policies by doing more than any state in the history of America to do the federal government’s job to secure the border. … Texas has devoted more than $4 billion of Texas taxpayer dollars toward these and other efforts to secure the border and enhance public safety. In January 2023 when the next Congress is sworn in, we must remind our representatives in Washington that securing the border is the federal government’s responsibility under Article I, § 8 and Article IV, § 4 of the U.S. Constitution. Join me in sending this urgent message to our congressional delegation, which has the power to act under Article I, § 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
I invoked the Invasion Clauses of the U.S. & Texas Constitutions to fully authorize Texas to take unprecedented measures to defend our state against an invasion.
I'm using that constitutional authority, & other authorization & Executive Orders to keep our state & country safe: pic.twitter.com/2Jt5HEMgp5
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 15, 2022
Congress should reimburse the State of Texas for the billions of dollars we have had to spend on border security in the Biden Administration’s absence. Federal officials who will not faithfully execute the immigrations laws should face hearings and even impeachment. Finally, Congress should amend statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 242 to ensure that our Troopers and Guardsmen are not exposed to federal criminal prosecution for protecting Texas against illegal entry between the ports of entry. … Texas has done more than its fair share for far too long. The time has come for the federal government to do its job.
Abbott plans to deploy the National Guard in effort to safeguard the southern border by repelling and sending back immigrants illegally crossing the border with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which will reportedly arrest illegal immigrants for criminal activity, according to the announcement. Gun boats will also be deployed in effort to secure the border, and Mexican drug cartels will be designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
The Texas Governor also announced plans to build a border wall surrounding multiple border counties along with entering compacts with other states to assist in border security. Texas will also reportedly enter into agreements with foreign powers in efforts to enhance border security and will provide resources for border counties to increase their efforts to respond to the invasion.
