Photo: HERIKA MARTINEZ / AFP / Getty Images
For: Real America News Updated 30 Apr 2022, 19: 08 pm EDT
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is studying the possibility of declaring an “invasion” due to the growing arrival of migrants to the Mexican border with his state, which would allow him to assume powers of war and expand the possibilities of using the army, according to The New York Times.
Abbott is weighing whether to invoke actual war powers to seize much broader state authority on the border.
It could do it, argue proponents of the plan inside and outside its administration, by officially declaring an “invasion” to comply with a clause in the US Constitution that says states cannot engage in war except when they are “actually invaded.”
The main lawyers for Abbott and the attorney general of T exes, Ken Paxton, have met to debate the measure, which would put the state in a head-on clash with the federal government by allowing state police to arrest and deport immigrants, according to The New York Times, which cites two people familiar with these conversations.
Abbott says he remains open to options, but has raised concerns about “unintended consequences” if no action is taken.
Governor Abbott has already mobilized thousands of National Guard troops to guard border posts and ordered security inspections of freight trucks from Mexico, causing a major disruption to international trade.
“If we use this strategy, it could expose law enforcement in the state of Texas to be prosecuted,” Abbott said during a recent news conference. But, he added: “Is this something we’re looking into? Yes.”
In addition, Abbot promoted the construction of 20 miles (32 kilometers) of new border fences, has designated state prisons for the internment of immigrants and paid for buses to take immigrants from Texas to Washington DC.
The Biden administration has dismissed Abbott’s actions on the border, sometimes calling them a “political stunt,” and has taken no steps to intervene, despite calls from Texas Democrats to do so. Any attempt by Texas to enforce federal immigration laws would surely end up in court.
Although Abbott has committed more than $3 billion to border security and approved $500 additional millions on Friday, has little to show beyond drug seizures and arrest figures. Its overlapping state actions regarding the custody of the border in the so-called “Operation Lone Star” have not stopped the avalanche of arrivals.
“Star Solitaria has not moved the needle one iota for the simple reason that they are not returning people to Mexico”, said Ken Cuccinelli, a senior Department of Homeland Security official in the Trump administration and supporter of formally declaring an invasion.
The Biden administration has widely defended its handling of the border and criticized elements of Abbott’s push. Texas “does not need to replace CBP at the southern border,” said Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, referring to the federal Customs and Border Protection agency.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of national security, requested more agents from the Patrol Border, but told Congress Wednesday that despite inheriting “a broken and dismantled system,” the administration had “effectively managed a number unprecedented number of non-citizens seeking to enter the United States.”
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