Gov. Abbott Says Texas Plans To Build Southern Border Wall
DEL RIO, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - During a summit on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott said he will announce plans next week for Texas to begin building a wall along the southern border.
"I will announce next week the plan for the state of Texas to begin building the border wall in the state of Texas," Abbott said.
Details such as costs and location were not immediately said by the governor as there are plans for an announcement.
The governor and other law enforcement agencies took part in a summit on Thursday about security along the southern border.
During the summit, Abbott announced initiatives to address border concerns such as creating the Governor's Task Force on Border and Homeland Security, as well as a $1 billion allocation towards border security.
The task force will include members from the Department of Public Safety, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Military Department.
The governor also announced that people who enter the state illegally will be subject to arrest for trespassing.
Abbott blamed the Biden administration's policies for the surge in migrants coming into Texas.
"While securing the border is the federal government's responsibility, Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows. The state is working collaboratively with communities impacted by the crisis to arrest and detain individuals coming into Texas illegally," Abbott said. "Our efforts will only be effective if we work together to secure the border, make criminal arrests, protect landowners, rid our communities of dangerous drugs, and provide Texans with the support they need and deserve. This is an unprecedented crisis, and Texas is responding with the most robust and comprehensive border plan the nation has ever seen."
According to the governor, the summit in Del Rio involved Texas sheriffs, police chiefs, county judges, mayors and landowners hearing from state officials on these particular efforts.
Remarks were delivered by Abbott, Texas Division of Emergency Management Nim Kidd, Major General Tracy Norris of the Texas Military Department and Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw.
Kate Huddleston, staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas, released the following statement in response to Gov. Abbott on Thursday:
"Gov. Abbott's plan is unlawful and threatens to once again rip families apart at the border, causing untold harm. As we saw under President Trump, separating families by prosecuting parents creates lasting trauma for vulnerable young children and for their parents. Abbott is also undermining the right to seek asylum by jailing those fleeing danger and punishing them for seeking refuge in the U.S. Additionally, Abbott's proposed border wall will harm border communities and the environment. In this plan, Abbott is yet again scapegoating immigrants in an effort to distract from his own failures in governing and managing actual crises in Texas — like the historic winter storm that led to the deaths of more than 150 Texans — with cruel results."