Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) mocked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s “climate change” response to the mass migration of migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Climate change? Mayorkas is pathetic. The REAL reason illegal immigration records are being set is because Biden refuses to enforce immigration laws. We will send more buses and planes. We will continue building the razor wire walls that Biden wants to tear down,” tweeted Gov. Abbott
Climate change?
Mayorkas is pathetic.
The REAL reason illegal immigration records are being set is because Biden refuses to enforce immigration laws.
We will send more buses and planes.
We will continue building the razor wire walls that Biden wants to tear down. https://t.co/Z0j9MVS74c
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 3, 2024
Despite Gov. Abbott’s sharp rebuke of Sec. Mayorkas’s comments, which were made on the news network MSNBC, he ignores the surrounding context of the official’s response. In the clip, Mayorkas lists climate change among several other factors for mass migration including poverty and authoritarianism.
That said, Mayorkas has faced increasing criticism for his handling of border security. Recently, the House Security Committee, led by the GOP, announced it would hold an impeachment hearing for him on Jan. 10.
“Our investigation made clear that this crisis finds its foundation in Secretary Mayorkas' decision-making and refusal to enforce the laws passed by Congress, and that his failure to fulfill his oath of office demands accountability,” said Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green in a statement.
Republican lawmakers have been highly critical of the Biden administration’s tactics in addressing the border issue. However, President Biden has tried various techniques in attempt to humanely address the issue as well as curb incoming migration from the border.
The president has stood against the use of razor wire at the border and has even ordered Border Patrol agents to cut it.
“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,” tweeted Gov. Abbott.
Biden’s techniques have some interest and approval from the GOP. In a statement, Biden announced that his administration would allow border wall construction in South Texas. The administration waived 26 federal laws in order to approve the measure.
Sec. Mayorkas emphasized why the administration felt the need to input the new border wall.
“There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,” said Mayorkas.
This ruling pleased some Republicans but turned off many Democratic politicians who were disappointed in the president’s use of wall building.
