In a recent discussion with Elizabeth Vargas on NewsNation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott asserted that while Texas has effectively managed its own immigration and border security challenges, the larger national issue remains unresolved. According to Abbott, truly securing the U.S. border will require new presidential leadership committed to robust border policies.
Abbott has consistently criticized the Biden administration’s approach to the increasing flow of migrants at the Texas-Mexico border. He suggested that with Vice President Harris now leading the Democratic ticket, Texas may need to bolster its defenses, possibly tripling the amount of razor wire along the border.
Abbott warns Texas may resume bussing migrants to Democratic states under Operation Lone Star
Abbott also defended some of his more controversial border security measures, the floating barrier installed in the Rio Grande. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently allowed Texas to maintain this buoy barrier, which has been in place for over a year to discourage migrant crossings. Although the Biden administration has challenged the barrier, arguing that it violates federal law and encroaches on federal immigration enforcement, Abbott hinted at plans to expand it, pending a final court ruling.
Abbott further noted that migrants are not only crossing into Texas from Mexico but are also entering from other U.S. states like Arizona and New Mexico. In response, Texas has started deploying razor wire along these interstate borders to deter both migrants and cartel operations.
Additionally, Abbott has implemented a controversial strategy of bussing migrants to Democratic-controlled states such as New York, Illinois, and Colorado under Operation Lone Star. While Abbott expressed a preference for deterring migrants from coming to Texas in the first place, he warned that the state is ready to resume these bussing efforts if the expected surge in migrant arrivals materializes in the coming months.
