Texas Governor Greg Abbott has affirmed his commitment to implementing measures to secure the southern border, despite facing a setback in federal appeals court on Tuesday evening.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily suspended the implementation of Texas’ law that permits law enforcement to apprehend undocumented migrants following the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. This decision comes as Texas appeals a federal judge’s previous ruling, which had prevented the law from being enforced.
The Texas law, Senate Bill 4, criminalizes the act of entering the state illegally and grants state judges the power to issue deportation orders for migrants who violate the law. The Biden Administration, along with immigration advocates, argues that the bill is unconstitutional and that the authority to detain or deport migrants lies solely with the federal government.
Abbott announced on Wednesday afternoon that his administration will continue to uphold SB4, the state law on border control. He stated that Texas law enforcement will continue to carry out controversial measures such as building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and utilizing the Texas National Guard to implement razor wire and buoy barriers in order to “repel migrants.”
In his post, the Republican emphasized that his state still has the authority to apprehend illegal immigrants for the crime of trespassing. He proudly stated that they have already made over 41,000 arrests.
The White House was contacted by Newsweek via email for comment.
While the fight continues in court to uphold SB4, Texas continues to arrest illegal immigrants for criminal trespass.
More than 41,000 criminal arrests have been made.
We continue to build border wall, use NG to erect razor wire to repel migrants & keep buoy barriers in river.— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 20, 2024
The White House, in addition to filing a lawsuit against Abbott’s administration to challenge SB4, has also been engaged in a legal battle with Texas regarding the use of razor wire and other deterrent measures along the Rio Grande. The argument put forth by the White House is that these barriers hinder the ability of federal agents to effectively patrol the southern border. In January, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 vote that federal Border Patrol agents were permitted to remove the wire, while a lawsuit regarding this method is still ongoing in court.
According to state officials, Texas has already added 12 miles of barriers as part of Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which is funded by approximately $1.28 billion for the construction of the state’s border wall.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, has consistently voiced his criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. In response to the situation at the southern border, several Republican-led states, including Texas, have mobilized their National Guard to assist in border patrol efforts.
