Tensions between the White House and the state of Texas at the US border have reached a critica. l point due to the increased flow of migrants. The conflict began following the Supreme Court’s January 22 decision to remove razor wire installed by local authorities along the Texas-Mexico border.
What Texas is fighting for
The court’s decision was not supported by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who ordered local National Guard troops to take control of the border and begin building new barbed wire fortifications. Texas security forces are refusing to allow federal border agents into their territory, claiming it is their legal right. Federal agents planned to gain access to the region by Jan. 26, but Gov. Greg Abbott refused to comply with the order, USA Today reported. In his remarks, the governor accuses President Joe Biden of violating existing immigration laws and addresses the state’s right to defend itself.
According to Politico, on January 25, a coalition of 24 Republican governors expressed support for Greg Abbott’s actions, recognizing his right to self-defense. In a joint statement, the governors expressed solidarity with Texas and supported efforts to secure the border.
Migrants wear mylar blankets supplied by the U.S. Border Patrol to keep warm in the early hours of the morning after spending the night in an outdoor processing center in Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S., December 20, 2023. REUTERS/Cheney Orr TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A look at the immigration problem: situation analysis
In December 2023 alone, about 225,000 people crossed the Texas border illegally, setting a record since 2000, according to CNN. In all of 2023, nearly three million undocumented migrants arrived in Texas, most of whom remain permanent residents. On January 26, US President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass a border security bill. In a statement on the White House website, he stressed the importance of addressing the problem of mass crossings of the border and promised to use new powers to close it if it becomes overloaded. The President also asked Congress to approve border security funding aimed at increasing the number of Border Patrol agents, immigration judges, asylum workers and purchasing advanced equipment to combat fentanyl smuggling on the southwest border. Note that Biden expressed hope for the adoption of a strict but fair border security bill that will allow him to effectively respond to the situation at the United States border.
US Immigration Policy: Constitutional Perspective and the Powers of the Federal Government
According to a Harvard CAPS-Harris poll released Jan. 22, immigration ranked ahead of inflation as the top issue of concern to voters nationwide. According to the survey results, 35% of Americans named immigration as a key issue, while 32% of respondents recognized inflation as the most pressing issue. In addition, in light of the growing debate, some prominent supporters of the radical wing of the Republicans in the United States have raised the possibility of civil conflict in the country.