In a decision that is likely to send the Biden administration into fits of rage, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has authorized certain state authorities to arrest illegal immigrants.
That move comes as the border crisis continues to boil over, with millions of illegal immigrants crossing in just the last year. Cities like El Paso have seen their streets flooded and resources drained while the federal government has done everything it can to keep the situation untenable. The Biden administration has even sued Texas to force them to remove physical barriers the state put up.
Abbott isn’t backing down, though.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) announced sweeping new measures aimed at keeping illegal migrants out of the United States as thousands have unlawfully crossed the border through his state under the Biden Administration.
On Sunday, Abbott announced that state officers will soon be allowed to arrest and detain illegal aliens in an effort to curb the mass numbers of migrants entering the U.S. through the southern border.
“Well, I’ll tell you a couple of things very interesting. For one, the problem is extraordinarily bad. The numbers are high, and that is because Joe Biden continues to lay out the welcome mat, welcoming illegal immigrants into the United States of America,” Abbott told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.
The new provision will go into effect after Abbott signs a new law that has already passed the legislature. That is expected to happen in two weeks, and it will grant the power to every police officer in the state to arrest and detain illegal immigrants. Legal action is likely to follow, as the Biden administration has continually tried to force states to abide by its open border policies.
As Abbott pointed out in his interview, Texas has seen a drop in illegal entries as a result of the state’s measures, including razor wire and the deployment of National Guard troops. Part of continuing that trend is offering a deterrent to discourage crossings. Police officers being able to arrest any illegal immigrant they come across in their normal duties will provide that.
What happens after an illegal immigrant is detained isn’t clear. Talk of state-led deportations has circulated, and that would be the most effective response. Regardless, some rise in enforcement is the only way out of this situation.
