Texas Governor Invokes Invasions Clauses So He Can Stop Influx Of Undocumented Migrants

Austin, TX – Recently re-elected Texas Governor Greg Abbot on Tuesday announced he was invoking the Invasion Clause in the U.S. and Texas constitutions in order to authorize the state to take “unprecedented measures” to defend itself “against an invasion” in the midst of an immigration crisis.

“I’m using that constitutional authority and other authorization and executive orders to keep our state and country safe,” Abbott tweeted.

The Texas governor said that his action would allow him to deploy the National Guard to “safeguard and to repel and turn back immigrants” trying to cross the border into his state illegally, KWTX reported.

Abbott’s move also lets the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) “arrest and return to the border” undocumented immigrants who cross the border illegally as well as those who commit a crime.

I invoked the Invasion Clauses of the U.S. & Texas Constitutions to fully authorize Texas to take unprecedented measures to defend our state against an invasion.

I'm using that constitutional authority, & other authorization & Executive Orders to keep our state & country safe: pic.twitter.com/2Jt5HEMgp5

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 15, 2022

Texas is planning to build a border wall in multiple counties along its border with Mexico, according to the governor.

He also said the state would deploy gun boats to secure the border, designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, enter into compact with other states to secure the border, enter into agreements with foreign powers to enhance border security, and provide resources for border counties to increase border security efforts to “respond to the border invasion,” according to KWTX.

In fiscal year 2022, which ended in September, CBP recorded 2.4 million encounters with illegal migrants.

That number was an increase of 37 percent over the same time period last year, according to the Associated Press.

The annual total broke two million for the first time ever in August.

The record number illegal border crossings is twice the highest level it ever was when President Donald Trump’s administration was running the country, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is responsible keeping U.S. borders secure, facilitating trade and legal travel, and stopping contraband and illegal drugs from crossing into the country.