The ongoing battle between Texas and the Biden administration over the migrant crisis at the Southern border continues to escalate, as Texas Governor Greg Abbott accused the White House of cutting razor wire that was installed in Eagle Pass to prevent illegal crossings.
In a strongly worded tweet on Wednesday evening, Abbott slammed the Biden administration for allegedly opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants by cutting the razor wire. The governor also announced that he had deployed more Texas National Guard troops to the area to repel illegal crossings and install additional razor wire.
According to Abbott, the razor wire was originally installed as part of Texas’s efforts to combat illegal immigration. The governor also shared a letter he wrote to President Biden in November, where he raised concerns about the President’s policies causing an “invasion” at the border.
“The influx of illegal immigrants at our border has reached crisis levels,” Abbott wrote in the letter. “To protect our state and our citizens, we are taking necessary measures, such as building a border wall, installing razor wire and marine barriers, and repelling migrants.”
Texas installed razor wire in Eagle Pass to stop illegal crossings.
Today the Biden Admin CUT that wire, opening the floodgates to illegal immigrants.
I immediately deployed more Texas National Guard to repel illegal crossings & install more razor wire. pic.twitter.com/eMtLS8Z6WI
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 20, 2023
The Biden administration’s response to Texas’s actions has been swift, as the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit in July challenging the state’s installation of a buoy barrier on the Rio Grande. The barrier was part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, aimed at curbing illegal immigration.
The DOJ claimed that the barrier not only impeded the navigable capacity of the river but also raised concerns about humanitarian, environmental, and public safety issues. A federal judge initially ordered Texas to remove the barrier, but the U.S. Court of Appeals later stayed that decision. The case is still being deliberated through the courts.
The ongoing dispute between Texas and the Biden administration highlights the deepening divide on immigration policy between the state and the federal government. While Texas continues to push for stricter border security measures and is taking matters into its own hands, the Biden administration has focused on a more humanitarian approach, promising a more welcoming stance towards immigrants.
As the court battles and political clashes continue, the situation at the Southern border remains a pressing concern. The influx of migrants, particularly unaccompanied minors, has overwhelmed Border Patrol and overwhelmed border facilities, leading to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. Both sides are blaming each other for the crisis, with Texas officials accusing the Biden administration of being too lenient on immigration policies, while the White House argues that the previous administration’s strict policies are to blame.
In the meantime, the governor of Texas remains committed to protecting his state’s borders and citizens, while the Biden administration continues to grapple with the challenges of managing the surge in migration.