Texas Governor Greg Abbott has emphasized the need to prioritize border control during discussions with Senator James Lankford, who serves as the lead negotiator for the GOP in the Senate. Governor Abbott has expressed his concerns about the increasing number of unauthorized border crossings and the need to address the factors that attract individuals to cross the border illegally.
To tackle this issue, Governor Abbott proposes denying asylum to individuals who cross the border at any point other than an official port of entry. He believes that this policy change would reduce the number of people attempting to enter the country illegally. He also urges an end to the catch-and-release policies implemented by the Biden administration, stating that the law already prohibits the mass release of individuals without requiring them to appear in court.
When asked about his communication with the Biden administration, Governor Abbott revealed that he has personally handed letters to President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas, outlining five steps that could help alleviate the border crisis. Unfortunately, he has not received any response thus far.
Regarding a recent lawsuit filed by the mayor of New York City, Governor Abbott dismissed it as a political move, asserting that the mayor issued the lawsuit against the wrong party. In this case, the mayor should be addressing President Biden's policies that contribute to the influx of migrants rather than targeting bus companies assisting with transportation. Governor Abbott considers the lawsuit baseless and believes that the city will not succeed in its legal pursuit, emphasizing that those transported to New York have already been authorized by the Biden administration to be in the United States.
Additionally, Governor Abbott addressed another lawsuit brought against the state of Texas by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This legal action challenges a recently enacted state law that grants police officers the authority to arrest and potentially deport individuals who have crossed the border illegally from Mexico. Governor Abbott proclaimed that the law was designed to be constitutional and asserts that it does not conflict with federal laws. He argues that the federal government's failure to enforce existing immigration laws provides Texas with room to implement its own legislation.
Governor Abbott highlighted three reasons why the Texas law should prevail in court. Firstly, the law does not conflict with federal legislation, unlike the Arizona law that was previously struck down. Secondly, since the federal government refuses to enforce existing laws, preemption does not apply to Texas. Finally, the governor argues that Texas is relying on constitutional provisions, specifically Article 4, Section 4, and Article 1, Section 10 of the United States Constitution, which grant the state authority in this matter.
As the legal battle proceeds, Governor Abbott stands firm in his commitment to address the border crisis and protect the interests of the state of Texas.
