Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (right) on Tuesday ordered the National Guard to help local law enforcement detain migrants as the state continues to see an influx of people crossing the southern border.
Texas governor orders National Guard to detain migrants
Abbott sent his request for more “manpower” to mitigate border crossings in a letter to Maj. Gen. Tracy R. Norris of the Texas Military Department, according to The Texas Tribune .
“To respond to this disaster and secure the rule of law on our southern border, more manpower is needed in addition to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) soldiers and Texas National Guard soldiers I have already deployed there.
and DPS needs help arresting those who violate state law,” the letter said, according to the news outlet. “I hereby direct that the Texas National Guard assist DPS in enforcing Texas law by arresting violators at the border.”
National Guardsmen deployed under state orders are legally authorized to enforce the law.
Abbott has repeatedly criticized President Biden for his handling of the surge in border crossings, and Tuesday’s move is his latest attempt to counter it.
Border agents reportedly stopped thousands of immigrants trying to enter the United States. Nearly 189,000 crossing attempts were recorded in June.
Last week, state law enforcement began arresting migrants on trespassing charges as part of Abbott’s plan to crack down on border crossings.
