Gov. Greg Abbott hires “border czar” to accelerate wall construction

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference with nine other governors about the Texas-Mexico border at Anzalduas Park in Mission on Oct. 6, 2021. Abbott announced Monday the hiring of a Texas “border czar” to oversee efforts to discourage illegal immigration. (Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday the creation of a Texas “border czar” and said he has appointed a recently retired Border Patrol agent to that position who will “tap his expertise to deploy strategies that reduce illegal immigration and keep our community safe.”

Abbott said Mike Banks, who retired from Border Patrol 10 days ago, will work alongside the Texas National Guard, state troopers and the Texas Facilities Commission to “accelerate the building of the border wall in Texas.”