Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a Border Security Summit Thursday in Del Rio. During the summit, he announced that Texas will build a border wall along the state’s boundary with Mexico
The Governor's Border Security Summit brought together Texas sheriffs, police chiefs, county judges, mayors, district attorneys, and landowners to hear from state officials on the actions that the State of Texas is taking to secure the southern border and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. During the summit, the Governor held private sessions with stakeholders to discuss collaborative strategies between state government, local city and county officials, law enforcement, and landowners to secure our border communities.
Abbott declared his plans during a press conference in Del Rio. He said he would discuss the plans next week. The Biden administration issued a proclamation that stopped border wall construction on his first day of office.
“President Biden’s open-border policies have led to a humanitarian crisis at our southern border as record levels of illegal immigrants, drugs, and contraband pour into Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “While securing the border is the federal government’s responsibility, Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows. The state is working collaboratively with communities impacted by the crisis to arrest and detain individuals coming into Texas illegally. Our efforts will only be effective if we work together to secure the border, make criminal arrests, protect landowners, rid our communities of dangerous drugs, and provide Texans with the support they need and deserve. This is an unprecedented crisis, and Texas is responding with the most robust and comprehensive border plan the nation has ever seen.”
Abbott announced the news while discussing a slew of border initiatives, such as a $1 billion allocation for border security in the state budget lawmakers just passed and a plan to establish a Governor’s Task Force on Border and Homeland Security with public safety and state government officials.
Additionally, the Governor declared that the State of Texas and the State of Arizona will invoke the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Under this interstate compact, Governor Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey are asking other states to send law enforcement officials to assist in making arrests and jailing. Governor Abbott and Governor Ducey are also seeking resources such as drones and helicopters to help landowners who are dealing with damage to their property.
Governor Abbott addressed landowners, ranchers, and farmers from border communities who have suffered damage to their property as a result of the surge in illegal immigration. The Governor offered for the Task Force to work with them on ways to recover their damages.
Governor Abbott noted his intent to sign the state budgets that appropriates more than one billion dollars to increase border security. The Governor also announced that the State of Texas will be taking decisive action to expand the border barrier. More details will be provided next week.
