Governor Greg Abbott has NOT “Officially Declared” an Invasion at the border.
A recent social media post by Texas Governor Greg Abbott sparked controversy and claims of deception, as the Governor proclaimed to have “officially declared an invasion at our border” on September 20, 2023. Governor Abbott’s statement raised eyebrows and ignited debate. But was it truthful?
In the social media post, Governor Abbott stated, “I officially declared an invasion at our border because of Biden’s policies. We deployed the Texas National Guard, DPS & local law enforcement. We are building a border wall, razor wire & marine barriers. We are also repelling migrants.” However, a closer examination of the facts reveals a lack of clarity and transparency in the Governor’s claims.
The heart of the controversy lies in the absence of an actual “declaration” of invasion. While many media outlets reported on Abbott’s statement, few bothered to scrutinize the timeline and documents associated with the Governor’s assertions (TLJ included). Following that, a comprehensive investigation by the Texas Liberty Journal has shed light on the matter, revealing that no official “declaration” exists in the sense described by Governor Abbott.
Every official document issued by the Governor falls under either an “Executive Order” or a “Proclamation.” The closest thing to an “official declaration of invasion” dates back to July 7, 2022, when Governor Abbott issued Executive Order EO-GA-41. In this order, the Governor authorized the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety to respond to illegal immigration by apprehending immigrants who crossed the border between ports of entry. This executive order contains no mention of an “invasion declaration.”
Furthermore, the executive order clearly stipulates, “This executive order may also be amended by proclamation of the governor.” However, no such proclamation has ever followed, raising questions about the Governor’s commitment to the declaration’s validity.
There was a proclamation issued on May 31, 2021, declaring a “disaster” at the border, and it has been renewed every month, as mandated by the Texas Constitution. Nevertheless, this proclamation does not constitute an “invasion declaration,” as the Governor’s recent social media post suggests.
In his letter to President Joe Biden dated November 16, 2022, Governor Abbott used the term “invoke” in reference to Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, asserting the states’ right to protect themselves if the federal government fails to protect them from invasion. However, the term “invoke” is not a legal term and holds no legislative or governmental significance without backing from either a proclamation or an executive order. It is by either of these two methods that something is truely, “invoked”, or put into action.
The crux of the matter is that Governor Abbott’s claim of having “officially declared an invasion” appears to be, at best, a misrepresentation of his earlier executive order and, at worst, a deliberate deception to mislead the public. Such a significant declaration should be backed by transparent, legally binding documents, rather than vague references to strongly worded letters.
Operation Lone Star: Transparency and Accountability Questions Linger
Amid the ongoing border challenges, Operation Lone Star (OLS) remains a cornerstone of Texas’ approach to securing its southern border. OLS, operating under the banner of Executive Order EO-GA-41, was introduced to address the multifaceted issues of illegal immigration, the illegal drug trade, and human smuggling. However, concerns about transparency and accountability surround the operation, casting a shadow on its claimed success.
Governor Greg Abbott’s vision for Operation Lone Star, as laid out in the Executive Order, has been a costly endeavor. As of April 2022, the operation was expending approximately $2.5 million per week, with an estimated annual cost of $2 billion. While these expenses underscore the state’s commitment to border security, they raise questions about the efficiency and accountability of this vast undertaking.
At its zenith, Operation Lone Star mobilized approximately 10,000 National Guard members, providing critical support to the border region. By November 2022, this number had reduced to around 6,000. The Texas Liberty Journal was unable to get an exact count of the current number of troops that are deployed.
The reported results of Operation Lone Star are undeniably impressive. The operation is said to have led to 394,200 migrant apprehensions, 31,300 criminal arrests, including 29,100 felony charges, and the seizure of a staggering 422 million doses of fentanyl…according the governor’s office. However, questions regarding the fate of the apprehended individuals remain unanswered.
One of the critical concerns is the lack of transparency regarding the fate of migrants once they are apprehended. The State has been silent on whether individuals are genuinely returned to the point of entry or if they are simply processed and released, potentially being bussed to Democrat run “Sancturary Cities”, which is a good thing. However, this glaring lack of clarity undermines the transparency of OLS and raises questions about its true effectiveness in addressing border issues. Not a single image or video of illegal aliens being returned to a point of entry has been released. In the ongoing war of public opinion, and with an effort to dissuade individuals from crossing the border illegally, one would think such an image would be a powerful tool … if it existed.
As Texas confronts ongoing border challenges, Operation Lone Star serves as a symbol of the State’s commitment to security. Yet, its enormous costs and the absence of clear information regarding the treatment and outcomes of those apprehended highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the operation’s execution. With these concerns in mind, it is essential that Texas residents receive detailed answers about the operation’s outcomes and expenses to assess whether it genuinely serves their best interests.