Gov. Abbott Issues Response:
“It is clear that the Biden Administration fundamentally misunderstands what is truly happening at the Texas-Mexico border. The current crisis at our southern border, including the overcrowding of immigration facilities and the devastating spread of COVID-19 that the influx of non-citizens is causing, is entirely the creation of the Biden Administration and its failed immigration policies.
“By choosing not to enforce immigration laws, removing sound policies like the Remain in Mexico program, and failing to make the most robust use of Title 42 authorities, this Administration has directly caused the unprecedented crisis Texas is facing. And it is increasingly a matter of grave public-health concern as unlawful migrants enter from countries with lower vaccination rates than the United States.
“It would be of some solace if the federal government were conducting appropriate COVID-19 testing and other mitigation strategies, but to the contrary, we hear too many reports of the federal government recklessly failing to do so and instead admitting into the United States — and Texas — migrants from over 150 countries, many of whom are testing positive for COVID-19.
“In short, the Biden Administration is jeopardizing the health and safety of Texans on a daily basis by refusing to follow the law. And it’s not just Texans; these irresponsible policies and actions by the Biden Administration are endangering the lives of many Americans as well as the unlawful immigrants themselves. I will take every available step consistent with the law to fulfill my duty to protect the health and safety of all Texans.”
Original story below:
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A new order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that allows state troopers to stop and turnaround vehicles carrying migrants on the basis that they could increase the spread of COVID-19 drew swift backlash and a threat of a lawsuit from the Justice Department on Thursday.
Attorney General Merrick Garland urged Abbott, a Republican, to immediately walk back the directive a day after it was issued by the two-term governor, who is up for reelection in 2022 and for months has sought to claim former President Donald Trump’s hardline mantle on immigration.
The letter from Garland is among the most forceful pushback yet from the Biden administration over the actions taken by Abbott along the U.S.-Mexico border, which have also included jailing migrants on state crimes and building new fencing. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have also slammed Abbott’s latest move to curb border crossings, saying it could invite racial profiling and restrict the ability of shelters to take in newly arriving families.
“The order is both dangerous and unlawful,” Garland wrote.
Previous Story: Abbott orders Texas National Guard to assist DPS with arrests at the border
Garland said Texas had “no authority to interfere” with the federal government’s broad powers of immigration and raised the potential of a lawsuit if the order was not lifted.
In releasing the directive Wednesday, Abbott said “we must do more to protect Texans from this virus and reduce the burden on our communities.” The order allows the Texas Department of Public Safety to “stop any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion” that it was providing ground transportation to a group of migrants. Troopers could then reroute vehicles back to its point of origin or impound it.
Abbott shrugged off Garland’s letter in a statement that blamed the Biden administration for high levels of migration along the southern border.
“The Biden Administration is jeopardizing the health and safety of Texans on a daily basis by refusing to follow the law,” he said.
The directive is not the first time during the pandemic that Abbott has put focus on migrants and the virus’ spread at a time of heightened worry over COVID-19. He raised similar worries over migrants in March — without providing any evidence that they were causing increased COVID-19 caseloads — which came as he faced criticism from public health officials for lifting a statewide mask mandate.
Abbott is now again facing calls to impose new coronavirus safeguards as the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant is raising infections. But he says he will not order new lockdowns or reimpose mask mandates.
“Blaming the current coronavirus surge on immigrants in his executive order, is a flagrant attempt to absolve his ineffective leadership that ultimately led to the unnecessary loss of life of our fellow Texans,” Democratic state Rep. Rafael Anchia said.
Large numbers of migrants have been showing up at the U.S. border with Mexico, with many turning themselves over to U.S. Border Patrol agents in seeking legal asylum status. U.S. officials reported this month that they had encountered 55,805 members of families with children in June, up 25% from the previous month. That figure still remains far below the high of 88,587 in May 2019.
© 2021 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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If you people would do your jobs, Governor Abbott would not have to do it for you. A very clear message is being sent that we see a border crisis—we want the Southern border closed and illegal immigrants turned away. We are concerned about the country and our future as legitimate American citizens. You people are turning your backs, a blind eye, and a deaf ear to the issues and matters we have clearly expressed concern over. We are tired of being ignored and if it becomes necessary to take this administration on then that’s the way it will have to be.
Couldn’t agree more, Son of Thunder.
Well, if BY THE Supreme cretins, TRUMP Couldn’t withhold funds to sanctuary states, even though THEY WERE LITERALLY Sticking a middle finger up at federal law, i can’t see HOW IN THIS CASE the feds can say “comply or else”.
give me the “what else”.
Joe Biden and the democrat, Marxist Administration don’ respect the wishes of Americans nor of the Governors of boder states that are directly effected by the hords of illegal immigrants flooding America’s open borders. These illegal immigrants come across our borders already having the Corvin Virus and the Biden Administration isn’t doing anything to stop these illegal immigrants with the virus from passing on into the rest of the interior of the United States where the helpless citizens , no doubt will be exposed by these immigrants . Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi are fully aware of the dangers these illegal immigrants pose to the American citizens but they are more interested in getting the votes of these immigrants than the welfare of the middle class citizens and staying in power its obvious, FromJoe Biden, and Nacy Pelosi , Attorney General, Merrick ,and the democrat Marxist Administration their atitudes are, So What!
This countries ” Broken Bordes, ” is a effort by the ” Msrxist, democrat party to continue a socialist , Communist program started by ( Cloward-Piven) to (Load the Welfare System And lead to (A Guaranteed Annual Income Program. )
“Garland said Texas had “no authority to interfere” with the federal government’s broad powers of immigration and raised the potential of a lawsuit if the order was not lifted.”
HUH??? </strong
This corrupt, parrot, puppet president and the Democrat controlled Congress are violating our U.S. Constitution and our Laws.
Article 4, section 4 of the U.S. Constitution: The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
500,000 illegal immigrants invading our borders each month. If This isn’t a foreign invasion, then what is it?
This traitorous, puppet president should be impeached and put in prison for orchestrating, protecting and supporting this illegal invasion of our country.
If Garland enforces his legal ruling like Joe enforces the border, Abbott has nothing to worry about. States have every right to apprehend law breakers no matter what the law broken, and segregate the pandemic infected from the clean and healthy. Any administration that arrests THE PEOPLE and their representatives for not wearing a mask in Congress, yet allows millions of COVID unvetted ILLEGAL aliens to just walk right in and then gives them a free plane ride into the interior of America is evil in intent, criminal in their actions, and unworthy to lead this last great hope of mankind, which apparently like the entity HOPE is the last to come out of their Pandora’s Box of released life force devouring spirits, that have now waged open warfare upon the safety of WE THE PEOPLE. They declare war while WE THE PEOPLE sit on our hands except guys like Abbott who knows when the going gets tough the tough get going. The United Counties of Texas will repel them who represent only the Divided States of America.
What Garland doesn’t seem to understand (or hasn’t bother to look at), is that Governor Abbott ISN’T trying to “enforce Federal Immigration laws”…
He is enforcing TEXAS State Laws (against Trespassing, breaking and entering, theft, etc.).
As was stated (above), if the Feds did THEIR JOB, NONE of what Governor Abbott is doing would be necessary!
I sincerely hope Trump runs again in 2024, with Ron DeSantis as his V.P. (setting up Mr. DeSantis to serve as President for the following 8 years)!
SINCE the feds have literally ABDICATED THEIR responsibility RE the border, its UP TO THE STATES TO cover that responsibility. THIS IS what abbot is doing!
Attorney General Merrick Garland and his Department of No Justice / traitors! That is all one needs to know about Garland and his communist Department!
Funny that the only evidence the Media cite against Gov. Abbott are criticisms–not results. There is no shortage of people who don’t like his refusal to comply with the Leftist Party Line w.r.t. Covid, immigration, etc., but if they can’t show a single example of where his decisions have caused harm (beyond the Left’s political ambitions), then he must be on the right track.
That’s right. Tell merrick garland to take his “warning” and shove it up slo joe’s you know what.
Those who are US citizens have been treated as if they are criminals if they have the audacity to decide not to take a jab that is experimental, has not had FDA approval, and for which the manufacturer has no liability should there be adverse effects. However, those entering the US illegally, and thus actually engaging in criminal behavior, are welcomed with open arms and are not being screened for COVID. In addition, they are being shipped throughout the country.
We have a lockdown on the Northern border and a sieve for a Southern border. Something is terribly wrong. The governor of Texas has the right and responsibility to protect his citizens. Our federal government has a responsibility to protect the citizens but has opted to ignore that responsibility. Not only are US citizens at risk BUT those entering illegally are being exploited and put into dangerous situations.
He has a DUTY TO protect his state’s people.. AND SINCE the feds are unwlling to DO SO, its THE STATES REQUIREMENT TO take over doing it..
So just what good is the federal government for? They have all become the enemies of America! How long will we tolerate this Russia Russia Russia China China China takeover of America. The clock is ticking….
If the Fed is not going to abide by the laws the governors have no choice but to enforce them, the states are being burdened by the incompetence of this administration, illegals, crime, COVID, the list goes on, not to mention unemployment directly caused by executive order! It’s time for the several states (the language of the Constitution) to revoke some of the powers they ceded when they resolved to form a more perfect union which is slowly deconstructing.
joe–guess you missed the memo–the left has absolutely no idea of nor do they care that
such a thing as the constitution exists –and they have no intention of obeying it-
actually if they thought that they could have gotten away with it they would have had
biden eliminate it by executive order on day one-you can be certain that if the GOP does not
retake the house and senate in the mid terms -the dems will start passing legislation to start
doing away with it amendment by amendment-
the first and second are being pulled apart daily –
just a short matter of time till the left run ACLU starts attacking the constitution at the supreme court
trying to prove that all the amendments were really written for the legislators and not the common man-
proof positive that the lunatics are running the asylum-
it was bad enough with the inept Sessions and the rino Barr
but now that the full time idiot democrats are in charge–
the DOJ is trying it’s best to destroy america one covid case at a time-
not bad enough that covid is still around but now has mutated into
a more communicable disease-the dumbbells at DOJ think it is a smart
idea to let thousands of illegal aliens to bring disease and pestilence
in to america and spread another round of death-
JUST when you can’t imagine the criminal left getting any worse -they prove
that they are the worst criminal element to ever exist-
I t appears that AG Garland is still sniffing his sleeve and pouting over not being nominated to the Supreme Court. Perhaps he is now another puppet for Biden. Governor Abbot is doing his elected job to protect his state and its citizens, per instructions of the Constitution. Is AG Garland doing his appointed job per instructions of the Constitution?
Abbott for President!
Garland for prison!
What is it with democrat judges and AG’s? Remember when Trump was trying to restrict those from countries that posed a security risk and got shot down by liberal judges at every turn. Now look at what we have with the open border policy of Biteme and his ilk. And these people think it’s no big deal about the illegals freely coming across our border. What security and health risk do these people pose? Apparently none to the democrats. They will be evenly distributed throughout these United States because they have a right to come here and we have an obligation to provide money, food, housing, and education and us citizens should just shut up and let it be. It’s a wonder these wizards of smart (and I use the term loosely), aren’t ripping down every mile of border wall and dismantling border stations, dismissing border agents an ICE, just to have no visible unprotected border whatsoever. Unfortunately that seems to be the case.
I also remember the supreme court saying “YOU Have no ability’ ot cease paying federal funds to states that REFUSE TO enforce federal laws (sanctuary cities/states)..
“He raised similar worries over migrants in March — without providing any evidence that they were causing increased COVID-19 caseloads …”
So, now there has to be proof of something? Americans have been suffering under totalitarian rule for over 18 months based on Voodoo and a socialist agenda. Now the same people are demanding proof that what they have been screaming at us is actually true?
THE PROOF is already out there..
Texas has the right to evict ANY lawbreakers of ANY laws from the state. We can send them to other states but that just pushes the problems into other states to deal with which would make us all Democrats. Luckily for us we also have a border with the foreign nation that is infesting us with criminals. We have just as much right to throw them all out that way was well….not just a right, but an obligation. Wise people do not reward breakers of the law, but make that choice of breaking it way more painful and uncomfortable that choosing to follow the laws. Democrats who defy this logic just brand themselves as the collective of criminals they are.
oh, that’s easy! NO!!!
Next problem.
My question is exactly what is Mr. Garland going to do about it? Is he going to send federal marshals to arrest Abbott? That sounds like something that isn’t going to happen. Will he send federal troops to force a stand down by Texas National guardsmen? That would be interesting. Maybe he can punish Abbott with harsh language because that would be more in line with Garland’s capabilities. This is a joke, and a fight Biden’s government cannot win. And when that becomes clear this whole border mess in going to come crashing down in moron Joe’s lap. Get out the popcorn.
SEEING HOW tyrannical the lefts’ getting, don’t EVER SAY “That sounds like something that won’t happen”..
Abbott “threatens” to use an agency called “Department of Public Safety” to protect public safety (shutter) but mindless Uncle Joe is intent on killing as many Americans as it make take to advance the Socialist Utopia.
I would just love it if Governor Abbot would simply declare, “O.k., Garland, you personally come down here to the border and I will toss you into the river to deal with the unvaccinated Illegals myself. In other words, Merrick, ‘Don’t mess with Texas’!”.
Id laugh if he did that.. BUT I DOUBT Merrick would EVER COME DOWN to the border himself.
Saw on late news that lawsuit has been filed per US vs Texas over illegal mass migration.
Wonder how many corrupt anti America judges will step all over their tongues to justify / explain why they think it’s constitutional for federal govt to ignore / violate existing immigration laws set by Congress.
And explain why they think it is not impeachable & criminal high crimes & misdemeanors &/or the definition of traitorous for the President or anyone acting on his orders or his behalf to willfully jeopardize national sovereignty, national security & the health & safety of US citizens by allowing unlimited millions of unidentifiable illegal foreign aliens to flood into the country with impunity & against the will or consent of US citizens.
Every single US citizen must rise up in force to demand our local, state & federal reps, authorities & courts uphold their oath to defend our nation from military or non-military foreign invasion & immediately finish the wall, refuse unauthorized entry & track down, arrest & deport all foreign aliens illegally in country per the unlawful acts of perverse traitorous govt actors.
You just know that with the sheer # of libtard leftist communist judges out there, the DEMS ARE SURE AS HELL tryng to shop around to find the RIGHT ONE for that lawsuit.
Just a side note: Obama and Biden wanted Garland to get a vote for the Supreme Court. Mitch McConnell, despite his other shortcomings stopped that in its tracks and ensured Garland never got a vote. Since then, Garlands actions as AG have confirmed that he is a political hack and would have been a terrible SC justice. So the country owes MM a thank you on that issue.
BUT did we really win, with the 3 HACKS that trump put there instead??
You can tell when a country is no longer free… When its government has become so corrupt that it protects the lawless and the criminals more than they do its own citizens, and when that government itself has become Lawless and criminalized!
Seeing how the UK has done all it can to bork over its OWN citizens, in favor of mudslime rapefugees, i fear WE ARE SLOWLY but surely becoming just LIKE THE brits are.
With a bunch of wimps in charge of the military your country and the free world are lost.
Garland said Texas had “no authority to interfere” with the federal government’s broad powers of immigration and raised the potential of a lawsuit if the order was not lifted.
Allow me to fill you in Garland: YOU & the federal government have NO AUTHORITY over the individual states to flood us with our enemies/your friends. You can threaten lawsuits but we will wage civil war to overthrow the Russian/Chinese communist dictatorship you are pushing on us. Biden, you are the first to go down, so make it worth your miserable life.