Texas Gov Abbott steps up security efforts.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-gov-abbott-steps-up-border-security-effortsTexas Gov. Abbott steps up border security efforts
Abbott said Guard members will also help with the early stages of constructing border barriers and a border wall.
By David Aaro | Fox News
Border crisis has CBP warning of 'morale collapse' among agents
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that he has authorized state National Guard members to arrest people who illegally cross the Texas-Mexico border.
Along with performing a law enforcement function, Abbott said Guard members will also help with the early stages of constructing border barriers and a border wall.
"The Texas National Guard is playing an unprecedented role to secure the border because of the unprecedented refusal of the federal government to fulfill its obligations under federal law," the governor said in a statement. The National Guard typically doesn't have immigration law enforcement capabilities, according to Border Report.
BORDER PATROL NABS 42 HAITIANS ARRIVING IN FLORIDA IN ALLEGED SMUGGLING OPERATION
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference, Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Austin. (Associated Press)
Last month, Abbott ordered Guard members to assist the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in arresting illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border who break state laws.
"To respond to this disaster and secure the rule of law at our Southern border, more manpower is needed," Abbott wrote in a letter sent to Major Gen. Tracy R. Norris of the Texas Military Department. "DPS needs help in arresting those who are violating state law. … I hereby order that the Texas National Guard assist DPS in enforcing Texas law by arresting lawbreakers at the border."
That July order expanded on Abbott's June disaster declaration, which directed the DPS to enforce all federal and state criminal laws, including those on criminal trespassing, smuggling and human trafficking. The declaration had allowed the use of all available state resources to assist state and local law enforcement in protecting Texans from "criminal activity and property damage."
Nearly 213,000 migrants were encountered at the southern border in July, a 13% increase over the already massive 188,000 migrant encounters in June, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In July 2020, there were just 40,929 encounters.
While the Biden administration has blamed root causes like poverty, violence, and climate change in Central America for the continued crisis, and has unveiled strategies to tackle those causes, Republicans have repeatedly blamed policies by the Biden administration for fueling the surge.
PHONY BORDER PATROL VEHICLE STOPPED IN ARIZONA, FOILING HUMAN SMUGGLING ATTEMPT, US AUTHORITIES SAY
Abbott has made funding for border security a priority for the current legislative special session. In a call Saturday with border sheriffs and county judges, he urged them to make their voices heard to the House Appropriations Committee during a hearing this week. Part of the funding will go toward the deployment of more National Guard members to the border, according to his office.
In March, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star to combat the smuggling of people and drugs into Texas. Since then, more than 4,600 arrests have been made by the DPS for charges including criminal mischief and criminal trespass.
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The operation has also led to the confiscation of more than 700 pounds of cocaine, 127 pounds of deadly fentanyl, and at least 270 firearms.
Fox News' Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
David Aaro is a Reporter at Fox News Digital
Fox Nation
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arcanaknight
3 minutes ago
Abbott's really getting desperate to distract from his Covid failures.
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behappyanddebate
5 minutes ago
It's about time you did something. This has got to end!
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Robert338
10 minutes ago
All Texas has to do is make the first mile into the border a bombing range. AC-130 gunship moving target range, for the "people pleaser".
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bryteeyes
17 minutes ago
Dems want to tackle the 'root causes'! What a laugh!! In whose lifetime will this task be accomplished, by which time every 'illegal' will be in the US. More strength to State authorities, now with the recent Supreme Court decision, to reverse the cockroach invasion.
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mtbross670
18 seconds ago
Replying to bryteeyes
The 'root causes' propaganda is a politician's way of misdirecting people's attention. We all know the 'root causes'. Hint; the party of slavery and the founders of the KKK and now the party of child abuse, international sex slavery, smuggling, accessory to organized crime and the abandonment of Am...See more
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cja844
17 minutes ago
I'm sure there are plenty of bored retirees out there.
Lawn chair , umbrella ,
Beer , sweet iced tea.
...See more
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jackr1
20 minutes ago
Abbot doing what biden should be doing.
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DJohnson
22 minutes ago
The supreme court has ruled , so Texas can detain , gather information , and turn back any person Who doesn't have a legal pass port ,(not a vax. ) or a legal citizen of the United States ,
Then take the time to turn the information over to the federal government ,
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IfTheyOnlyKnew
25 minutes ago
you cannot stop future democrats from crossing over, thats illegal!
right liberals? lol
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carmudgeon376
27 minutes ago
Abbot's efforts, while commendable, has little affect in reducing the influx of criminals into America. Reality is, Texas has neither the money nor the manpower to significantly combat this national emergency. We need the federal government to enforce its laws!
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DJohnson
21 minutes ago
Replying to carmudgeon376
and that not happening, even with supreme court ruling.
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thegoat668
30 minutes ago
Good for him, if uncle Joe won't do it, Texas will