Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered more razor wire to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border as Republicans focus attack lines on the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policy in the run-up to the presidential election.
Abbott ordered engineers to install razor wire at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass on August 13 to curb migration as Republicans and the Trump campaign ramp up attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris’ record on immigration.
Abbott said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Operation Lone Star engineers install more razor wire near Shelby Park. Texas will continue to hold the line and bolster our border security efforts to protect Texans—and Americans—from the Biden-Harris border crisis.”
Eric Gay/AP
Abbott announced Operation Lone Star to stop migrants from entering the United States unlawfully in 2021.
Abbott said in a social media post that it has led to the apprehension of 517,400 illegal immigrants and more than 45,900 arrests since its launch.
He also claimed that Texas has transported over 119,400 migrants to sanctuary cities.
Eric Gay/AP
However, Operation Lone Star has been slammed by human rights groups after Newsweek exposed allegations that migrants are being pushed into razor wire and fired at with pepper balls by those working on the operation.
Daniel Woodward, a legal fellow on the Beyond Borders team at the Texas Civil Rights Project, told Newsweek earlier this month that the Texas National Guard was ordered to push migrants, including a four-year-old girl, back across the river and not give them any aid.
State and federal governments have been embroiled in an ongoing dispute over the legality of razor wire.
The fencing was authorized by Abbott. However, the Biden administration requested that Border Patrol be permitted to continue cutting the wire, arguing that it harms migrants.
Eric Gay/AP
Migrant crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border have plummeted, falling to a three-year low in June after Biden imposed a major crackdown on people who crossed into the United States seeking asylum. It is the lowest monthly level since Biden assumed the presidency. Despite this, Republicans have zeroed in on Harris’ role within the administration, claiming she was appointed Biden’s “border czar.”
In January 20224, the Texas National Guard took control of Shelby Park, along the Rio Grande River, which separates the U.S. from Mexico, after Abbott signed an emergency declaration to close the park.
At the time, Abbott cited the border crisis and the need to secure the border. The Texas National Guard blocked U.S. Border Patrol agents from patrolling the area.
The leading Texas Republican has also faced intense scrutiny from opponents after he signed an executive order that will force hospitals to collect data on the healthcare costs of undocumented migrants treated in the state.
Belen Torres, from the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, told Newsweek after the news was announced that: “Health care is a human right. Asking a patient for their immigration status will deter and prevent thousands of people with serious medical needs from getting necessary, possibly life-saving, health care.”
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