As Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to assert the state's right to defend itself from immigrant incursions, some Democratic lawmakers are calling on President Biden to take command of the National Guard.
Mr. Abbott issued a lengthy statement Wednesday, saying the federal government had broken agreements between the United States and the states.
“The executive branch of the United States has a constitutional obligation to enforce federal laws that protect states, including the immigration laws currently in place,” Abbott said. “President Biden is refusing to enforce and even violate these laws.”
Mr. Abbott has been involved in multiple legal battles with the Biden administration, which has threatened legal action over Texas' occupation of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass. Texas is also suing the administration over cutting razor wire and installing buoys in the Rio Grande, which the state installed to prevent migrants from crossing into Texas illegally.
Abbott declares Texas has 'right to defend itself' against immigrant 'invasion' amid feud with Biden administration
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (AP Photo/Eric Gay/File)
While Abbott has issued statements about the Biden administration's overreach, Democratic lawmakers, including Texas Democratic Rep. Greg Cassar, have accused the state's governor of copying former President Donald Trump's strategy.
“Greg Abbott continues to use political stunts and inflammatory language to advance his agenda, violating the Constitution and endangering both American citizens and asylum seekers,” Cazale said. Posted on. “Abbott is following Donald Trump's strategy: make it harder and harder to migrate.” Because of the danger, asylum seekers are being pushed into the hands of cartels and the system remains broken. ”
In a series of posts, Mr. Cazale said he agreed with Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat, who tweeted on Tuesday that Mr. Biden should take command of the Texas National Guard.
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The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration this week, granting an emergency appeal by the state of Texas to allow officials to cut the line along its border. The state responded by releasing images of strengthening physical barriers along Eagle Pass.
The administration is also suing over a recently signed law that allows Texas state and local authorities to arrest illegal immigrants. The administration has accused Texas of interfering with federal control over immigration and border security, saying it is putting both personnel and migrants at risk.
“Governor Greg Abbott is using the Texas National Guard to block the border and cause chaos,” Castro posted on X on Tuesday. “If Abbott is defying yesterday's Supreme Court ruling, @POTUS We need to establish sole federal control of the Texas National Guard now. ”
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Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas), who is running for governor, also accused Mr. Abbott of “using the Texas National Guard to defy a Supreme Court decision.”
“When Governor Orval Eugene Faubus did this in 1957, [President] “Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard to ensure compliance with the law. Biden will build on this example of bold and decisive leadership to end this crisis before it gets worse,” O'Rourke tweeted. We must follow suit,” he posted.
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But Abbott is not alone in fighting for states' rights to increase protections along the Mexico-Texas border.
In fact, former Republican presidential candidate and current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said his state would continue its aid to Texas.
DeSantis posted on “Texas follows the law,” he said. Biden is ignoring it, but Florida will continue to help…”
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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, also reposted a video of the Texas National Guard march.
“Oklahoma stands with Texas,” Stitt wrote.
Mr. Abbott made a number of points in Wednesday's statement, but the administration is unlikely to dissuade him, citing Supreme Court precedent regarding federal control over immigration and border officials.
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The administration also insists it is following immigration laws, noting that the number of removals since May has exceeded the entire 2019 fiscal year.
Instead, the administration says it needs additional funding from Congress and comprehensive immigration reform to fix what it says is a “broken” system.
Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
