Texas.- Four C-130 military jets passed over the international airport in Austin, Texas, empty and with their doors open as the sun set on a press conference requested by the state’s governor, Greg Abbott.
As Abbott began speaking Monday at a lectern emblazoned with the words “Secure the Border,” about 200 National Guard soldiers were rushing to board the planes.
For two years, Texas has waged a multi-billion dollar effort to arrest and deter migrants crossing the state from Mexico, deploying helicopters and drones, National Guard troops patrol the border in camouflage, and state troops patrol the roads in black and white all-terrain vehicles.
The state has bussed thousands of migrants to East Coast cities like New York and has erected barbed wire along the banks of the Rio Grande.
However, the number of crossings into Texas continues to increase.
A new wave of people arrived at the border this week, due to the cancellation of the public health measure, known as Title 42, which in the last three years has allowed governments to quickly expel large numbers of migrants.
Before the order is lifted at midnight, Texas doubled down on the response, not only sending more soldiers and police officers to the border, but also pushing legislation that would impose new state sanctions against migrants and people smugglers.
The legislative actions, some of which are expected to pass the state House this week, could expand and make elements of the border surveillance program Abbott unveiled in March 2021 known as Operation Star Solitary, be permanent.
Through the program, Abbott has used his power as governor to send state police and the National Guard to the border, using state laws that prohibit trespassing to arrest migrants as they cross private property.
