Abbott reiterates commitment to surging resources in Biden administration’s absence

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference with nine other state governors in Mission, Texas to discuss the ongoing crisis at the border as well as what Texas is doing to keep communities safe in the midst of President Joe Biden’s disastrous open border policies. During the press conference, Governor Abbott and the other governors discussed the far-reaching impact of the Biden administration’s open border policies, particularly with the rise in fentanyl in communities across the nation. The governors also outlined a 10-point plan that President Biden can take to end the crisis.

The 10-point plan includes: 

• Continue Title 42 public health restrictions
• Fully reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols
• Finish securing the border
• End catch and release
• Clear the judicial backlog
• Resume the deportation of all criminals
• Dedicate federal resources to eradicate human trafficking and drug trafficking
• Re-enter all agreements with our Northern Triangle partners and Mexico
• Send a clear message to potential migrants
• Deploy more federal law enforcement officers

During his remarks, Governor Abbott recognized Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for his partnership and thanked the other governors in attendance for their shared commitment to securing the border and keeping Americans safe. Governor Abbott also reiterated his commitment to surging resources in Texas’ fight to secure the border, including Operation Lone Star and his own 10-point plan of actions Texas has taken to secure the border: 

• Signed laws providing $3 billion funding for Texas’ border security efforts
• Deployed thousands of National Guard and Department of Public Safety officers
• Created a system to arrest and jail illegal migrants trespassing in Texas
• Signed a budget authorization to build the border wall in Texas
• Signed a law to make it easier to prosecute smugglers bringing people into Texas
• Signed 9 laws cracking down on human trafficking in Texas
• Created a law that makes it a crime to manufacture or distribute fentanyl
• Issued a disaster declaration for border counties
• Issued an executive order preventing non-governmental entities from transporting illegal immigrants
• Continuing to enforce the Remain in Mexico and Title 42 policies in Texas

Prior to the press conference, Governor Abbott and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Executive Director Steve McCraw hosted the state governors for a briefing on what Texas is doing to secure the border. 

Governor Abbott was joined at the press conference by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas Military Department Adjutant General Tracy Norris and Deputy Adjutant General Monie R. Ulis, and National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd. 

“The Biden Administration’s open border policies have led to complete chaos at the southern border, and pose a threat to the safety of Texans and all Americans,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas has stepped up to keep our communities safe and mitigate this crisis ourselves, and our efforts have been made stronger by the support and assistance of governors from across the nation. I thank the state governors who are here with me today for their support and for visiting the border to see firsthand the ramifications of President Biden’s disastrous policies. Together, we are sending a strong message to the Biden Administration that we will not tolerate their refusal to secure the border — and we will continue to do whatever it takes to keep our communities safe.” 

“We’re not going to sit around while Biden refuses to act,” said Governor Ducey. “We’ve tried to meet with the president and be part of the solution, but he refuses. No, worse — he ignores us, just like he’s ignoring the border and the well-being of the American people. If the president won’t meet with us, then we’ll share our policy ideas today. Hopefully he will hear our solutions and begin to act.”

“When we see this type of mass influx of migrants to our state, the cartels profit by exploiting the situation,” said DPS Director Steve McCraw. “Unless we act, there is no stopping them from reaching communities across the country with their drugs and violence. Governor Abbott has made it very clear, Texas is going to lean forward and take a stand. We are grateful for his leadership and the continued support of our partners, both here in our state and across the country, in making sure we secure our southern border.”

In June 2021, the State of Texas and the State of Arizona invoked the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Under this interstate compact, Governor Abbott and Governor Ducey asked other states to send law enforcement officials and equipment to help mitigate the ongoing border crisis.