Texas Erects Barrier at New Mexico Border to Deter Migrants

Facts

• In an attempt to stem illegal migration into the state, including through the floodplain of the Rio Grande, Texas has installed new fencing along its border with neighboring New Mexico.¹
• Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott reportedly ordered the Texas National Guard to erect miles of barbed wire along the Texas-New Mexico border in El Paso as part of his Operation Lone Star project.²
• Writing on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gov. Abbott made the statement: 'Migrants are entering New Mexico illegally then crossing into Texas,' along with an image of the Texas National Guard unfolding wire intended for use in erection of the new barrier.³
• However, the plans have already garnered criticism, with New Mexico congressman Gabe Vasquez terming Abbott's intent to keep migrants from entering Texas 'unconstitutional,' arguing that restricting travel between US states 'limits our rights as Americans.'⁴
• While the federal government is responsible for defending states against external threats, if it fails in its duty, Texas could argue its right to retain the sovereign authority to defend its border under Article 1 Section 10 of the Constitution.⁵
• In the fiscal year 2023, border officials recorded over 2.4M encounters along the southern border compared to 2.3M apprehensions in 2022.⁶

Sources: ¹CNN, ²The Texas Tribune, ³Texas Monthly, ⁴Newsweek, ⁵The New York Sun and ⁶The New York Times.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. While America's southern border is being invaded by hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens every month, the Biden administration is more concerned with tearing down border security efforts and helping migrants sneak across the Rio Grande. Texas, however, has strong leadership that is concerned for state sovereignty and safety. State and federal governments are duty-bound to implement any mechanism necessary to stop invasion at the southern border, regardless of Pres. Biden's open borders agenda.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by Los Angeles Times. Texas' razor wire border isn't about security, it's a political stunt aimed at inflicting the greatest possible suffering on migrants. Abbott's policy is not only ineffective, it has caused inhumane lacerations and injuries to migrants trying to seek a better life in the US. The cruelty of Republicans knows no bounds and federal agents have every right to cut down these barbaric fences — especially when medical emergencies are involved.

Predictions