Lone Star State Governor Greg Abbott and his National Guard have seized control of Shelby Park in the city of Eagle Pass, Texas — the center of the migrant crisis that has engulfed the U.S. border.
According to a Fox News report, “Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas said he was informed that the decision was made as part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s emergency declaration. Salinas told reporters it was not something the city had requested, and he said his understanding is that Border Patrol was now not in the area as a result.”
“The current posture is to prepare for future illegal immigrant surges and to restrict access to organizations that perpetuate illegal immigrant crossings in the park and greater Eagle Pass area,” a statement from the Texas Military Dept said.
Many are praising Governor Abbott’s decision to take border security into his own hands.
“Governor Abbott is not harming Border Patrol operations, he is enhancing them,” National Border Patrol Council Brandon Judd said in a statement. “His seizing control of Shelby Park allows our agents to deploy to troubled spots that experience high numbers of gotaways. Governor Abbott’s actions should be seen as a force multiplier.”
A senior border official confirmed Abbott’s forces are in the area and that CBP has pulled its men from in an effort to avoid confrontations.
“It’s of no operational or law enforcement benefit to try to block federal authorities from being able to do their job,” a senior official said., adding that the tactic has no impact on the migrant flow, and now that when Texas is done receiving them they still are turned over at other locations – therefore adding extra steps to the process.
Abbott reacted to the story on X.
“As caravans of migrants are moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border, we are making clear that Texas will be a tough place to cross.”
As caravans of migrants are moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border, we are making clear that Texas will be a tough place to cross. https://t.co/G4LJfKfiK3
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 12, 2024
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