In a bold display of solidarity, 25 Republican governors have signed a joint statement in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and his efforts to secure the state’s border with Mexico. The statement comes in response to the Biden administration’s attempts to dismantle border fencing in Texas, a move that Abbott and his fellow governors believe will exacerbate the ongoing illegal immigration crisis.
The joint statement, released on January 25, 2024, highlights the governors’ concerns about the Biden administration’s immigration policies and their impact on border security. The governors assert that the administration has “left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border.”
The REpublican Governor's Association signed and published a joint letter a few hours ago adding these states to the list of those that support Texas: pic.twitter.com/bdgSvVaIm5
— Kiki (@kikisknees) January 25, 2024
Governor Abbott has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, which he believes have encouraged a surge in illegal border crossings. In response, he has implemented a series of measures to strengthen border security, including deploying the Texas National Guard to the border and constructing additional fencing.
The Biden administration has sought to counter these efforts by challenging the legality of the state’s actions and attempting to remove border fencing in certain areas. However, the 25 Republican governors have pledged to stand by Governor Abbott and the state of Texas in their fight to secure the border.
Republican Governors Band Together, Issue Joint Statement Supporting Texas’ Constitutional Right to Self-Defense ⬇️https://t.co/PdDTUeZB69
— The RGA (@GOPGovs) January 25, 2024
In their joint statement, the governors argue that “the Biden Administration has attacked and sued Texas for stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl, and terrorists entering our country.” They further assert that “we do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally.”
The governors also point to their previous efforts to address the border crisis, including sending personnel and resources to Texas and Arizona through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
The support of these 25 Republican governors underscores the growing divide between the Biden administration and many state leaders on the issue of border security. As the battle over the border continues, it remains to be seen whether Governor Abbott and his allies will be able to maintain their efforts to secure the border in the face of opposition from the federal government.
