Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas is adopting a strategic approach to address the issue of illegal immigration at the southern border. He is not simply waiting until the 2024 election potentially returns Trump to the Oval Office; instead, he recognizes the need for a long-term plan.
Abbott understands the unpredictable nature of politics and knows that he cannot rely on future outcomes. Therefore, he must take action based on the current situation and assume that nothing will change unless he acts. The influx of illegal immigrants into Texas is a pressing concern, and the consequences of the Biden administration’s failure to secure the border have spilled over to the rest of the country. Each new individual entering the nation illegally adds to the Democrats’ voter base, which raises questions about their motivation to stop the flow.
There is a deliberate effort to make things difficult for Abbott, as well as for state law enforcement and the Texas National Guard, whom he has deployed to take control of the situation. Abbott finds himself fighting a battle on two fronts: at the border and in Washington, D.C. In response, he has established an official base in Eagle Pass, Texas, spanning 80 acres. This base will provide accommodation for up to 2,300 National Guard members who have been deployed to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is in Eagle Pass right now to show an area where the state is building a new Texas Military Dept. base camp.
He said it will be able to house up to 1,800 soldiers with ability to expand up to 2,300 if state has "surge needs."@KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/yTuPYWH9fe
— Will DuPree (@willdupreetv) February 16, 2024
The Texas border town of Eagle Pass is widely recognized as the most active border sector in Texas.
Migrants have been pouring across the borders in unprecedented numbers. CBS News reported in December that 50,000 migrants were processed by the border patrol in just a five-day period. In addition to this, approximately 1,500 migrants are being processed daily through official border crossings under the Biden program using the official app.
The situation is critical. The new military base is intended to alleviate the pressure on soldiers required to be present under Operation Lone Star. Launched in March 2021, the $10 billion program now requires additional funding to establish a sustainable living situation for the National Guard to effectively manage the front line in the long run. The exact amount of funding remains undisclosed by Abbott, as reported by the Texas Tribune.m With his determined attitude, Abbott will surely consider the cost as a necessary investment to prevent potential harm to our nation if left unaddressed.
Abbott is not taking any chances on potential changes. The risk to our nation is too significant, particularly since the United States has already absorbed around 8.9 million illegal immigrants under the Biden administration. To put this into perspective, more illegal immigrants have entered the United States under the Biden administration than the total population of Arizona – and 38 other states combined. This is a staggering reality.
The base will accommodate 1,800 to 2,300 soldiers at a time. These individuals will no longer have to reside in temporary living arrangements, which undoubtedly affects their efficiency and morale.
At present, as per the Tribune, they reside in tents, hotels, and private residences. Some individuals are commuting for more than an hour to reach their designated locations. The stress and disruption call for a different approach to be implemented. Abbott recognized that the accommodations were unconventional for regular military activities, however, for Operation Lone Star, the troops required better facilities.
“Because of the magnitude of what we’re doing, because of the need to sustain and actually expand our efforts of what we’re doing, it’s essential that we build this base camp for the soldiers,” Abbot told reporters. By establishing this new base, troops and command will have the capacity to be physically present in large numbers on-site, a task that would pose significant logistical challenges in the absence of such a facility.
Currently, 3,000 soldiers have been deployed to the 1,200-mile border. Their responsibilities include apprehending illegal immigrants, constructing barriers, and ensuring that Border Patrol agents do not obstruct the measures already implemented to deter further illegal crossings, as reported by the Tribune. Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer was cited by the outlet stating that they aim to have the base operational to accommodate 300 soldiers by mid-April, with plans to add facilities for an additional 300 soldiers each month until the base is fully operational.
The establishment of this new base will provide a substantial advantage to Texas soldiers. The border situation has escalated into a full-blown crisis due to the policies of the Biden administration. With the failure of the new border bill, Texas is compelled to take drastic actions. Undoubtedly, the future of the United States heavily relies on Abbott’s leadership.
Prioritizing the well-being of soldiers is the most prudent decision, one that any genuine leader would make. If he were not indispensable in Texas, Abbott could be considered as a potential vice president by Trump. There is no doubt that he could effectively lead the country if the need arose.
