In the escalating conflict over U.S. border security, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has issued a staunch defense of his state’s right to secure the border amid the ongoing immigration crisis.
In a Monday press release, Abbott announced the deployment of floating marine barriers in the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass.
The move comes as part of Texas’ “unprecedented response” to the border crisis.
Governor Abbott’s measures, however, have not been well-received by the Biden administration.
Responding to threats by the U.S. Department of Justice to sue the state over the barriers, Gov. Abbott issued a strong response, maintaining that Texas has a constitutional right to protect its borders.
The Texas governor wrote to President Joe Biden, “If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws,” arguing that such action would save lives.
His letter went on to elaborate: “By doing so, you can help me stop migrants from wagering their lives in the waters of the Rio Grande River. You can also help me save Texans, and indeed all Americans, from deadly drugs like fentanyl, cartel violence, and the horrors of human trafficking.”
Gov. Abbott maintained that the full enforcement of U.S. immigration laws is key to protecting illegal migrants from harm.
He wrote, “To end the risk that migrants will be harmed crossing the border illegally, you must fully enforce the laws of the United States that prohibit illegal immigration between ports of entry.”
Abbott not only defended Texas’ efforts to combat illegal immigration, but also challenged the Biden administration directly, “In the meantime, Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused. Texas will see you in court, Mr. President.”
In the midst of this defense, Abbott also countered the claim that Texas’ floating marine barriers violate Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
He concluded his press release by including copies of letters from January 8, 2023, and November 16, 2022, to President Biden.
These letters, the governor said, outlined the current immigration laws that the President must enforce to fulfill his “constitutional obligation to safeguard American citizens and the sovereign authority of states to protect their borders when the President refuses to do so.”
Read Abbott’s full letter below:
