Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke to the state’s Republican County Chairs on Friday, highlighting his efforts to counter illegal immigration.
This includes the controversial installation of floating barriers in the Rio Grande.
In his Georgetown, Texas address, Abbott discussed the state’s response to the surge of illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“I will do whatever I have to do to defend our state from the invasion of the Mexican drug cartels and others who have tried to come into our country illegally, and I will protect our sovereignty,” said Abbott.
Abbott emphasized the strategy behind the floating border wall, a part of Operation Lone Star.
“It’s called operation hold the line,” he said. “They are holding the line and ensuring that nobody enters the state of Texas illegally.”
However, Abbott’s approach led to a lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ accused Abbott of breaking federal law by not removing the barrier, labeling it as “unlawful construction.”
Abbott’s statements come as Texas sends busloads of migrants to sanctuary cities, including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
The governor asserted the relocations will continue until the federal government addresses the border crisis.
Abbott also challenged the federal government’s financial involvement in the border issue.
“I challenge the federal government to show that they have spent that much money in the state of Texas on the border under Joe Biden as president,” Abbott said.
Reacting to the lawsuit, Abbott stated, “He gave me a lawsuit, and by God, Joe Biden, we will see you in court.”
Protesters gathered at the governor’s mansion in Austin on Friday, criticizing Abbott’s border wall.
Despite the opposition, Abbott remains committed to his immigration strategy.
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