Texas Governor Greg Abbott Reaffirms State's Defense Tactics Against Illegal Immigration and Crime

In a staunch display of sovereignty, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has doubled down on Texas's right to reinforce its borders amid what he calls an "invasion" of illegal immigration and criminal activity, according to a strongly worded opinion piece by the governor published by the New York Post as obtained by the Office of the Texas Governor official website. Abbott asserts that duties neglected by the Biden Administration have fallen upon Texas, which now aggressively tackles the issue through Operation Lone Star—a coordinated operation uniting the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard in a concerted effort to curb the unauthorized flow of migrants and contraband.

Operation Lone Star, according to figures released by the governor’s office, has achieved substantial interceptions with over half a million illegal immigrant apprehensions, and more than 35,800 felony charges have arisen from the 39,800 arrests made, all the while they have been grappling with the fentanyl crisis seizing over 467 million lethal doses of the drug. These efforts also include the transportation of a significant number of migrants to various cities across the country, with over 12,500 to Washington, D.C., 38,200 to New York City, and 31,700 to Chicago among others.

In his op-ed, Abbott draws attention to the assertive measures Texas is employing, including constructing barriers to prevent illicit entry and arresting those who bypass them, stating, "Texas is leading the fight, with the help of Governors from across the country, to do the job that President Joe Biden has failed to do," and, "We will continue to build barriers that deny illegal entry into our state, arrest immigrants that cross illegally, and fulfill our duty to secure the border." These comments reflect his administration’s unwavering commitment to protect Texas and its people from what Abbott frames as profound threats, emphasizing that the state is exercising a constitutional right recognized over two centuries ago.

The governor's viewpoint is rooted in the belief that Texas faces formidable challenges, especially from Mexican drug cartels that he describes as operating akin to a paramilitary force along the border; this stance has found support among other state leaders who have also voiced their concerns about the federal government's border policies, and these state leaders have rallied behind Texas's right to defend itself and, by extension, the nation from such perils.