Abbott urges federal action on border crisis at Manhattan Institute
On September 27, 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed the Manhattan Institute in New York City, sharply criticizing the Biden Administration's approach to border security and immigration. In an event featuring a fireside chat with Manhattan Institute President Reihan Salam, Governor Abbott focused on what he termed an "unsustainable influx of illegal immigration" at the U.S.-Mexico border. He urged the federal government to take immediate and robust action to enforce existing immigration laws.
According to a press release that summarized the Governor's comments, Abbott blamed the Biden Administration for exacerbating border issues by rolling back measures previously enacted by the Trump Administration. Specifically, he lamented the end of the "Remain in Mexico" policy, the relaxation of Title 42 provisions, and the discontinuation of the "catch-and-release" practice. Abbott argued that such reversals have resulted in a drastic surge in border apprehensions, which have now exceeded 2.3 million people in just the past year.
The Governor also spoke about Texas' own efforts to bolster border security through its Operation Lone Star initiative. Despite the state allocating over $9 billion to construct strategic barriers and to deploy the Texas National Guard, Abbott emphasized his discontent with what he sees as insufficient federal backing for these state-led operations. He remarked that the investment by Texas stands in stark contrast to what he perceives as federal inertia, creating a burden for the state and its residents.
Furthermore, Abbott touched on the broader implications of weak border controls, warning of potential national security risks. He expressed concerns that individuals from countries adversarial to the United States might exploit the porous border to gain illegal entry. The Governor insisted that such laxity in border enforcement poses not only a regional but a national security risk, warranting immediate action.
Abbott concluded by highlighting that the urgency of the situation is not just his lone view but has been corroborated by other public officials. He noted that even the Mayors of cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles, which are far removed from the immediate impacts of border issues, have acknowledged the crisis as unsustainable. "It's a crisis that's chaotic and must stop," Abbott summarized, calling for collective and effective action from both federal and state entities to address the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border.
