Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the state’s immigration and border security law, describing it as “outrageous.” He pledged to continue efforts to prevent illegal entry into Texas despite the Biden administration’s opposition.
During an interview with Fox Business Network’s “Varney & Co.” on Thursday, Abbott expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s focus on stopping Texas from securing the border instead of prioritizing border security. He argued that if the administration dedicated more time to securing the border, the state wouldn’t need to take such measures.
Abbott highlighted the three ongoing legal actions between Texas and the Biden administration, emphasizing that the state’s efforts to deny illegal entry into the country are necessary due to the administration’s failure to secure the border. He announced that Texas would continue to erect barriers, repel migrants, and transport them to other cities like New York and Chicago.
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Texas on Wednesday, seeking a federal court ruling that deems the state’s new border security law unconstitutional and halts its enforcement. The law, known as Senate Bill 4 or S.B. 4, was passed last month and is set to take effect on March 5. It allows Texas law enforcement officers to arrest individuals suspected of illegal entry. Upon arrest, migrants must agree to a judge’s order to leave the U.S. or face misdemeanor charges for unlawful entry.
The federal government argues that the law violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, pointing to a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that established federal immigration laws often supersede state laws, even without a direct conflict.
Abbott has been vocal in his opposition to the federal government’s border policies, and S.B. 4 is his latest attempt to challenge them. He has previously sent buses and flights of migrants to Democratic-led cities and authorized additional construction of the border wall.
Mayors of these sanctuary cities have criticized Abbott for sending migrants to their jurisdictions. In response, Abbott shifted the blame to President Biden, arguing that the president has the authority to address the situation, just as former President Trump did.
Abbott reiterated his claims that Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas are not enforcing the laws passed by Congress to curb the flow of migrants. He emphasized that Texas is taking matters into its own hands by constructing a border wall and installing razor wire along the southern border.
The Biden administration has raised concerns about the wire, citing potential consequences for border patrol agents and migrants entering the U.S.
