The White House and the state of Texas are engaged in a heated battle over a new immigration law that allows law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants. The legislation, signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, has sparked tension between the Biden administration and states at the southern border regarding the handling of the migrant crisis. The White House has labeled the new law as “extreme” and argued that it puts communities in Texas at risk.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the federal government is responsible for determining the removal of noncitizens who violate immigration laws, not individual states. She emphasized that the new law is “certainly extreme” and expressed disappointment in its implementation. However, Gov. Abbott believes that the law will better protect Texans and Americans from President Biden’s open border policies.
The tension between Texas and the Biden administration was further highlighted when a federal appeals court temporarily blocked the administration from cutting razor wire set up by Texas earlier this year. The court’s decision came after Texas sued the administration, accusing it of interfering with the state’s border security efforts.
Another legal battle is taking place between the Department of Justice and Texas over the deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande to prevent migrants from swimming across. Texas argues that the buoys are meant to save lives, while humanitarian groups and the DOJ claim that they pose a safety risk. The federal appeals court recently ruled that Texas must remove a portion of the barrier, prompting Gov. Abbott to consider taking the case to the Supreme Court.
The White House has also criticized Gov. Abbott for busing migrants to “sanctuary” cities, including Chicago and New York City. In response, Abbott accused the Biden administration of neglecting its duty to secure the southern border. The administration’s handling of the border crisis has also faced criticism from neighboring Arizona, where Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs expressed frustration over the lack of action from the federal government.
The tension between the states and the federal government arises amid a surge in migration at the southern border. A record number of migrant encounters were reported on Monday, prompting the Biden administration to request additional funding and reform from Congress to address the “broken” system. However, Republicans have called for more limits on asylum and the administration’s use of parole.
Lawmakers in Washington are currently working on a deal for emergency supplemental funding, with the White House requesting an additional $14 billion for the border. Despite discussions, it is uncertain whether a deal will be reached before the new year.
The clash between the White House and Texas highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing the migrant crisis at the southern border. As the Biden administration seeks support and resources, states like Texas and Arizona are taking matters into their own hands to secure their borders and protect their communities.
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