Abbott Orders Texas National Guard To Arrest Migrants

Last Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) ordered the Texas National Guard to help local law enforcement arrest migrants. This comes as the state continues to experience an influx of non-Americans crossing the US southern border. 

RELATED: Texas Crisis Grows: A Border City in Danger with COVID-19 Outbreak at Migrant Shelter

Texas National Guard Asked To Help Mitigate Border Crossings

Abbott sent his request for additional manpower to help mitigate border crossings. He sent his request via a letter to Major General Tracy R. Norris of the Texas Military Department, according to media sources.

According to Abbott’s letter, the local police force needs help right now. “To respond to this disaster and secure the rule of law at our Southern border, more manpower is needed — in addition to the troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and soldiers from the Texas National Guard I have already deployed there — and DPS needs help in arresting those who are violating state law. I hereby order that the Texas National Guard assist DPS in enforcing Texas law by arresting lawbreakers at the border,” he wrote. 

Texas National Guard To Conduct Law Enforcement

Under state orders, national guardsmen can legally conduct law enforcement within the state.

Prior to his request, Abbott repeatedly called out President Joe Biden for his failure to contain illegal border crossings at a national level. Abbott’s order to activate the Texas National Guard is his latest attempt to handle the influx. 

As a result, state officials have reportedly arrested thousands of migrants attempting to enter the United States. In fact, around 189,000 migrants were caught attempting to cross the border in June. Last week, state law enforcement officials upped the ante and started arresting migrants on trespassing charges. This is part of Abbott's plan to crack down on border crossings.

Texas and Arizona Called For Help

Abbott, along with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, placed a joint call last June requesting aid from other states in securing the southern border. GOP states such as South Dakota and Florida responded to the call by sending their National Guard soldiers to the border states to help in law enforcement.

“Securing our border with Mexico is the federal government’s responsibility. But the Biden administration has proven unwilling or unable to do the job,” the governors wrote “This failure to enforce federal immigration laws causes banns that spill over into every State,” they added. 

In addition, news reports said that the Biden administration released roughly 50,000 illegal immigrants into the interior of the US. They did so without scheduling a court date for their asylum claims hearing. Migrants were only given instructions to eventually report back to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. Of the 50,000, only 13% actually reported back to an ICE agent.

Watch The Hill’s video report that Texas governor Greg Abbott orders National Guard to arrest migrants:

Do you support the moves to activate the Texas National Guard to help arrest migrants? Will the added personnel help solve the problem of illegal immigration in the southern borders? What should be the long-term solution for this problem?

Let us know what you think. Share your comments in the comments section below.