First appearance on Fox: Several members of Texas' Republican congressional delegation are calling on the Justice Department to halt recent lawsuits against the Lone Star State, saying the Biden administration has “betrayed Texans and the American people with its open borders policy.”
In a letter they plan to send to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, more than a dozen House Republicans from Texas target the Biden administration's failure to secure the southern border and those who attempt to do so. he accused.
“We write with grave concern about the legal challenges currently facing the State of Texas related to Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which was passed on November 21, 2023. The bill would give the state of Texas the power to arrest illegal immigrants at the border with Mexico,'' the lawmakers, led by Texas Republican Rep. Roger Williams, said in the letter.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas over SB4, pitting Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Biden administration against each other as the two sides remain at odds over their response to the escalating crisis at the southern border. woke up.
Texas slams Biden administration, promises tough border measures after Scotus Razorwire ruling
Migrants wait to be processed at a U.S. Border Patrol transit center after crossing the border from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on December 20, 2023. (John Moore/Getty Images)
The lawsuit, filed in Austin federal court, comes after Mr. Abbott signed a bill last month challenging the federal government's authority on immigration matters. In addition to President Biden, several blue cities, including New York and Chicago, are pushing back against Mr. Abbott's decision to bus thousands of migrants from their states to their jurisdictions.
Republican lawmakers pointed to a passage in the lawsuit against Homeland (the Justice Department notes that “the Constitution gives the federal government the power to regulate immigration and control our borders”) and to point to the Biden administration and Alejandro Mayorkas' Homeland Security policy. The Secretary of State for Security asserted that. “We have repeatedly refused to enforce our immigration laws and stop the flow of illegal immigrants into our country.”
U.S. Border Patrol agents watch over 2,000 migrants at a field processing center in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2023. (John Moore/Getty Images)
“Since President Biden took office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recorded more than 6.7 million illegal border crossings, with an additional 1.7 million recorded as 'fugitives.' “This administration's open borders policy has failed the American people and turned every state into a border state,” House Republicans said. “Record high levels of illegal immigration are taking a toll on Texans across the state, and Governor Abbott is urging us to take steps the Biden administration has not taken.”
Lawmakers said the Justice Department's argument that SB4 is unconstitutional “ignores the fact that Texas law merely complies with current federal immigration law, which already criminalizes entering the United States illegally.” said.
Lawmakers emphasized their support for Abbott and other state officials trying to reduce the number of illegal border crossings, saying the Biden administration's policies “tempt migrants to continue crossing the border.” Ta.
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for failing to address border issues as record numbers of migrants enter the United States. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Texas has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents and must be allowed to act consistent with that goal,” they wrote. “President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have failed Texans and Americans with their open borders policy. Texas should not be punished for this administration's refusal to enforce current immigration laws.”
“We urge the State of Texas to reconsider its lawsuit and take action as necessary to ensure the safety of its residents,” the Texas Republican Party concluded.
Migrant encounters at southern border hit 302,000 in December, officials say
Under Texas law, immigrants must agree to a judge's order to leave the United States or face a misdemeanor charge of illegal entry. Those who do not leave could face felony charges if rearrested. Those ordered to leave will be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they are not Mexican citizens. The law can be enforced anywhere in Texas, but there are some places, such as schools and churches, that people are prohibited from entering.
“Against all odds, the state of Texas and Texans have stepped up in the fight to protect our border,” Williams told Fox News Digital. “If President Biden will not take responsibility for this invasion of our country, then Texas should be allowed to defend itself without fear of retaliation. We urge them to reconsider their harmful lawsuits, but most importantly, it is past time for them to do their jobs and protect our borders.”
“If President Biden does not take responsibility for the invasion of our country, then Texas will be allowed to defend itself without fear of retaliation,” Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) told Fox News Digital. We should,” he said. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
As of press time, 15 Republican senators have signed a letter scheduled to be sent to Garland on Wednesday night. The letter was signed by Texas Republican Reps. Dan Crenshaw, Keith Self, Pat Fallon, Lance Gooden, Jake Elsey, Morgan Luttrell, Michael McCall, Ronnie Jackson and Monica de la. Cruz, Pete Sessions, Chip Roy, and Beth Van Duyne. , Michael Burgess, John Carter, Brian Babin.
Mr. Abbott has repeatedly accused the Biden administration of failing to address border issues as record numbers of migrants enter the United States. The busing plan has drawn the ire of Democrats in blue cities, who say their jurisdictions lack sufficient resources to care for the immigrants they take in.
Texas officials are taking strict measures after the Supreme Court's Monday ruling authorizing Border Patrol agents to cut and remove razor wire that the state installed along the banks of the Rio Grande to deter immigrants from entering the country illegally. Measures pledged to maintain safe border security.
Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Gov. Chris Olivares said the state will “maintain its current posture to deter illegal border crossings by utilizing effective border enforcement measures” under Abbott's Operation Lone Star. Ta.
That includes reinforced razor wire and anti-climb fencing along the Rio Grande, Olivares said in the article. Post to X.
Razor wire is seen on the banks of the Rio Grande at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, on January 12, 2024. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
with sauce customs and border security He told Fox News Digital earlier this month that the number of encounters with migrants will reach a staggering 300,000 in December 2023, a level that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.
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Between December 1 and December 31, more than 302,000 migrants were recorded attempting to cross the US southern border. This was the highest single-month total ever. This is also the first time that the number of encounters with immigrants has exceeded 300,000.
Fox News' Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
