Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) released his response to the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing its intentions to sue him for his alleged illegal actions at the border.
Operation Lone Star came under criticism recently after reports showed that children were being pushed back into the water by state troopers and medics ordered to do so.
“Texas has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution,” said the Texas governor.
“We have sent the Biden Administration numerous letters detailing our authority, including the one I hand-delivered to President Biden earlier this year.”
Texas has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution.
We have sent the Biden Administration numerous letters detailing our authority, including the one I hand-delivered to President Biden earlier this year.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2023
“The tragic humanitarian crisis on the border was created because of Biden’s refusal to secure the border,” continued Gov. Abbott.
“His open border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives crossing illegally through the Rio Grande, instead of safely and legally over a bridge.”
The tragic humanitarian crisis on the border was created because of Biden’s refusal to secure the border.
His open border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives crossing illegally through the Rio Grande, instead of safely and legally over a bridge.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2023
“Texas is stepping up to address this crisis. We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans — and the migrants risking their lives. We will see you in court, Mr. President.”
Texas is stepping up to address this crisis.
We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans — and the migrants risking their lives.
We will see you in court, Mr. President.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 21, 2023
In a statement, Abbott claimed that the deaths at the border were not his fault.
“While I share the humanitarian concerns noted in your lawyers’ letter, Mr. President, your finger points in the wrong direction. Neither of us wants to see another death in the Rio Grande River,” said Abbott.
“Yet your open-border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives by crossing illegally through the water, instead of safely and legally at a port of entry. Nobody drowns on a bridge.”
The Texas governor asserted his belief that in order to stop deaths at the border, the president must make sure that immigration laws are being followed.
“If you truly care about human life, you must begin enforcing federal immigration laws. 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."
The Texas lawmaker concluded his statement by blaming Pres. Biden for the calamity that has taken place at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“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. In the meantime, Texas will fully utilize its constitutional authority to deal with the crisis you have caused.”
Abbott’s legislation continues to make headlines for the brutal deaths that have occurred at the border. However, the DOJ’s lawsuit plans to put an end to some of the more questionable practices of Operation Lone Star.
