Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday morning that up to 1,000 Florida National Guard troops will be sent to the Texas border to stem the flow of migrants.
The soldiers will be deployed “based on the needs of the state of Texas.” Florida Governor’s Website Press Release.
Florida National Guard troops will also be sent to Texas to support Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to deter migrants at the border, the statement said, marking the first time the force has been deployed outside the state. It is written.
These deployments are in addition to Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida Department of Law Enforcement personnel already at the border, the agency said.
The 45-year-old governor made the announcement while standing in front of members of the Florida National Guard and an orange sign that read “Stop the Invasion” in bold black letters.
“Each state has every right to protect its sovereignty, and I am pleased to increase our support for Texas as the Lone Star State works to stop cross-border aggression,” DeSantis added.
“Our reinforcements will help Texas add additional barriers, including razor wire, along the border. Without borders, there is no country,” he added.
The former Republican presidential candidate also criticized what he saw as the Biden administration’s inaction at the border after U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered a record 2.5 million illegal immigration in 2023. did.
“[President] Biden has the authority to close this border today. Even if he wanted to, he lacks the will to complete the task. He lacks the ability to understand the problem and get the job done,” DeSantis said. According to Fox News Digital.
DeSantis’ announcement comes just two days before the main “Take Our Border Back” rally is scheduled to take place in Texas.
Robert Agee, who is organizing the Texas convoy to the rally, said Wednesday that the rally “will not involve 700,000 vehicles,” as some supporters have claimed. he told the Post.
Agee, who lives in Texas, said about 100 vehicles were heading from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Dripping Springs, Texas, outside Austin, and were expected to arrive tonight.
More people are expected to join the convoy as it moves to its final destination in Quemado, about 32 miles from Eagle Pass, where one of the three rallies will be held.
A pre-meeting will be held Thursday in Dripping Springs.
Agee said speakers will include sheriffs, political candidates and television journalists Laura Logan and Ann Vandersteel.
The main meeting will be held at the Cornerstone Children’s Ranch in Quemado, just across the Rio Grande River.
“They are intentionally spreading misinformation. Nobody involved in this convoy is a racist or a conspiracy theorist,” Agee told critics of the Reclaim Borders movement. he told the Post.
“If you look at any of the interviews that any of us have done or the materials that we have published, you will see that these are simply freedom-loving Americans. Men and women of faith coming together to engage in spiritual warfare. We’re going to use our First Amendment rights to do that, and we’re going to pray… So it’s a smear from them, and they completely distrust what we’re doing.” he said. he scoffed.
