Texas Governor Greg Abbott took swift action on Monday to address the security concerns at the U.S-Mexico border. In response to the recent incident in El Paso, where a sizable group of migrants managed to breach the concertina wire fencing, overpowering the National Guard, Governor Abbott personally oversaw the installation of new razor wire. This proactive measure aims to reinforce the border and prevent any further unauthorized entries.
On Thursday, a group of migrants attempted to breach the fencing in El Paso, and Texas National Guard members were seen trying to hold them back. Videos shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, captured the scene of events.
In a video shared by New York Post reporter Jennie Taer on X, she vividly captured the moment when migrants overwhelmed the Texas National Guard, as they pulled down a fence.
According to a spokesperson from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) in El Paso, the border surge initiated on Thursday at around 11 a.m. local time. The surge involved a significant number of migrants who managed to breach the Texas National Guard concertina wire barricades situated between the Rio Grande and the border wall, near Midway Drive and Loop 375.
On Monday, Abbott made an announcement about the addition of more razor wire and National Guard soldiers in El Paso. He has made it clear that he is determined to continue the fight, stating that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the temporary removal of razor wire along the southern border is not the end. Despite ongoing litigation over the issue, Abbott is committed to taking further measures to secure the border.
Abbott’s office has been contacted by Newsweek through email for comment.
“Over the weekend, additional Texas National Guard soldiers were deployed and more razor wire was installed at the border in El Paso. Governor Abbott expressed his commitment to reinforcing border barriers and deterring illegal immigrants, stating, ‘Texas is holding the line’ on X.”
Tensions between Texan authorities and the federal government have escalated in recent months over the issue of handling illegal migration across the southern border. In a ruling on January 22, the Supreme Court allowed federal agents to remove razor wire that had been placed along the border on orders from Abbott. This decision sparked a strong reaction from the Republican governor, who characterized the situation as an “invasion” and asserted Texas’ constitutional authority to defend and protect itself.
Furthermore, the dispute surrounding the measures intensified as the federal government expressed its concerns regarding the environmental and humanitarian implications of the deterrent. In the past, the presence of physical barriers such as razor wire, floating barriers in the Rio Grande, and towering walls reaching up to 30 feet have resulted in injuries, drownings, and even fatalities.
El Paso has earned a reputation as a sought-after location for migrants. Local doctors have observed a disturbing trend wherein migrants are experiencing frequent and severe injuries to their lower extremities as a result of falling from the towering border walls. These injuries have been described as both consistent and devastating.
According to David Stout, a county commissioner in El Paso’s Precinct 2 for nearly a decade, he previously expressed to Newsweek that Abbott and his associates are intentionally seeking “chaos” at the border in order to gain political advantage.
“They have a desire to instigate chaos,” Stout stated. “Their intention is to divert attention from the challenges we are encountering at the border. They aim to create a state of disorder, as it aligns with their narrative that the border is engulfed in chaos.”
Stout was contacted by Newsweek via email for comment.
Abbott continues to defend his choice to deploy deterrents, asserting that Texas has the power to enforce border security measures along its border.
According to a spokesperson from Abbott, the lack of razor wire and other security measures at the border “encourages migrants to make unsafe and illegal crossings” and creates challenges for Texas border personnel.
According to the spokesman, Governor Abbott remains committed to defending Texas’ property and upholding its constitutional authority to secure the border in the ongoing case.
In January, the number of crossings on the southwest land border in Texas reached 68,260, as per the data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This figure represents a decrease from the 149,806 migrants who entered in December. Nevertheless, it is still one of the highest rates in the country, prompting state officials to consider taking action on their own.
The decision to install razor wire was made in response to the Supreme Court’s approval of Texas Senate Bill 4, which grants local and state law enforcement the authority to apprehend and deport migrants believed to have entered the state unlawfully. However, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has since placed the legislation on hold.
