Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp have expressed their support for Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to address border security issues. This comes as Katie Tobin, a top White House adviser on migration issues, resigns from her position within the National Security Council (NSC) after three years.
Tobin had initially planned to leave her role as senior director for transborder security last summer, but the Biden administration convinced her to stay until the end of the year. However, her departure now coincides with growing criticism of the administration’s handling of migrants crossing the southern border illegally.
Tobin played a key role in a U.S. delegation that visited Mexico to discuss strategies for reducing illegal crossings. She also led the planning for the end of the Trump-era Title 42 policy last year. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan praised Tobin for her dedication and tenacity in the migration efforts.
The White House and the NSC have not yet commented on Tobin’s resignation. A replacement for her has not been chosen, according to an NSC spokesperson.
The situation at the southern border remains a pressing concern, with Border Patrol agents near El Paso, Texas, recently apprehending 40 migrants involved in two human smuggling operations. December 2023 saw a record-breaking number of migrant encounters, with over 302,000 incidents documented. This is the highest total for a single month ever recorded and the first time migrant encounters have surpassed 300,000.
Republican Governor Gianforte, Governor Kemp, and other GOP leaders are rallying behind Governor Abbott’s efforts to address the border crisis. Meanwhile, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has pledged to provide razor wire to Texas if President Biden halts Abbott’s initiatives.
The issue of border security continues to dominate political discourse, with Republicans advocating for stricter measures while Democrats face criticism for their handling of the situation. The resignation of Katie Tobin adds to the challenges facing the Biden administration in addressing the ongoing crisis.
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