Texas is perhaps the most active state when it comes to challenging the federal government on immigration crackdown, carrying out measures and policies of its own aimed at stemming the flow of people entering the country.
Governor Greg Abbott's signature policy regarding the issues is Operation Lone Star, which has seen massive investments in the building of a border wall, the bussing of migrants to Democratic-led sanctuary cities and the fortification of border areas and ports of entry to deter asylum-seekers.
While the state has seen success in some areas, including a 74% drop in illegal border crossings since the beginning of the operation in March 2021, the process of building the wall has seen major challenges, according to a report by the Texas Tribune.
The outlet detailed that the state has only been able to build some 34 miles of wall for $25 million, and the bollards are spread out in different locations across more than 1,200 miles of border. The figure represents only 4% of the areas that officials say are "in need of some kind of barrier."
"I wish that were just finished this structure here to where it's not an eyesore. You got basically three different types of fence that are that are standing here. So you know, just one continuous fence, that would be great," Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez said.
"I appreciate what Governor Abbott is doing to the west of us," Martinez said. "Those efforts will protect our community, will help keep our community safe. I know there's still some gaps within that fence, so hopefully technology will cover those gaps to where people can respond or agents can respond."
One of the main challenges is acquiring or accessing the private land they would need to build, as the government can't use eminent domain to gain land access. Authorities are negotiating with private citizens but the process is stretching out, but at the current pace the wall would be finished in about 30 years.
However, legislators have approved over $3 billion for the wall in the past three years and many continue supporting the effort.
Abbott has repeatedly blasted the Biden administration for what he says is not sufficient action on the border. He has also deployed thousands of Texas National Guard soldiers, placed razor wire along the border and buoys across sections of the Rio Grande.
He simultaneously promoted the SB4 Bill, a controversial law allowing state authorities to arrest and deport migrants who cross unlawfully into its territory, which is currently halted as the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals debates on its merits.
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