Texas Governor Greg Abbott has asserted that his state’s efforts to secure the border, particularly through Operation Lone Star, have significantly reduced illegal border crossings. He directly contradicts the Biden administration, claiming their policies have undermined, rather than helped, border security. Abbott emphasized Texas’s prominent position as the state with the longest border in the U.S., highlighting the overwhelming influx of illegal immigrants during the early stages of the Biden administration.
Operation Lone Star, initiated by Abbott, involved deploying state troops and resources to the border, including constructing a border wall after the Biden administration halted its own construction, deploying buoys in the Rio Grande, and installing razor wire fencing. These actions have sparked multiple legal battles between the state and the federal government. The White House has accused Abbott of jeopardizing the safety of migrants and Border Patrol agents while obstructing federal law enforcement efforts.
After witnessing a surge in border encounters reaching unprecedented levels since Biden took office, a dramatic decline occurred over the summer. The White House attributes this drop to an executive order issued by Biden in June, restricting asylum entries into the U.S. Encounters in July reached their lowest point since September 2020.
While acknowledging the need for increased funding and congressional reforms, the administration points to Republicans’ rejection of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the border crisis, accusing them of prioritizing political gain over border security. Specifically, they cite a bipartisan bill that would have allocated additional funding while imposing certain limits on entries, which failed to gain Senate approval.
Abbott, however, rejects the White House’s claims, insisting that the decrease in illegal immigration in Texas is not a result of the administration’s policies. He highlights the significantly lower numbers in Texas compared to other border states like Arizona, New Mexico, and California, supporting his assertion that Texas’s strategies are effective.
This ongoing dispute over responsibility for the border crisis has become a central point of contention between the two major political parties, shaping the 2024 presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris, a potential Democratic presidential nominee, has emphasized her role in addressing the border issue, pointing to the bipartisan Senate bill and blaming former President Trump for its failure. She pledged to revive and enact this bill if elected president, aiming to address the issue while maintaining the country’s historical acceptance of immigrants.
Abbott, in turn, has publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president, accusing Harris of advocating for “open border policies” and highlighting the potential consequences of her potential policies for the country. He emphasizes the need for Americans to understand the reality of the situation, both regarding the policy shift under Biden and Harris’s potential impact.
