AUSTIN, Texas – The escalating feud between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden administration over immigration enforcement has drawn cheers from Republicans, with some governors even considering deploying National Guard members to the border once again.
Among the first to show support for Abbott was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who announced on Thursday that he would be sending hundreds of additional guard members to Texas. This comes as tensions continue to rise between state authorities and the U.S. government over the power to enforce immigration policies and how to do so.
Republicans argue that tougher actions along the border are necessary in response to the record levels of illegal crossings. However, sending National Guard members to the border is not a new tactic.
DeSantis is just one of over a dozen Republican governors who have sent state National Guard units to the southern border since 2021. His recent deployment comes as Texas continues to deny U.S. Border Patrol agents entry to a popular crossing spot for migrants in the border city of Eagle Pass.
So, what exactly is happening at the Texas border?
At the heart of the conflict between Texas officials and the federal government is Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, which has become one of the busiest locations for people attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally from Mexico. Earlier this month, troops from the Texas National Guard seized the park and began turning away federal immigration authorities, despite pleas from U.S. government officials.
It’s important to note that immigration enforcement is typically a federal responsibility. However, Abbott has stated that he will continue implementing new immigration measures, citing it as a “constitutional right to self-defense.” In a recent ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed federal agents to remove razor wire placed by Texas officers along the border with Mexico, including in Shelby Park.
Following this decision, Texas has installed more razor wire in Eagle Pass, which was not prohibited under the Supreme Court’s order. The Biden administration has argued that this wiring makes it difficult and dangerous for federal agents to perform their duties.
So, who exactly is sending National Guard members to the border?
Florida has already sent over 1,000 guard members, troopers, and other officers to the Texas border since last May, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. At least twelve governors have also sent deployments ranging in size from a few dozen guard members to over 100, including governors from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Virginia, and West Virginia.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was the first to send 50 guard members to Texas in 2021, with the cost being covered by a private Republican donor who offered $1 million to make the mission possible. Two years later, she deployed at least 50 more.
Some governors have also looked beyond the National Guard, such as Idaho Governor Brad Little, who announced last week that he would be sending additional members of the state police to Texas.
But what exactly do these guard members do?
The most recent guard deployments have been in support of Abbott’s border mission known as Operation Lone Star, which began shortly after President Joe Biden took office. Many have been used for surveillance, such as spotting illegal crossings. Migrants are then turned over to federal immigration authorities, although Abbott has also empowered Texas National Guard members to arrest migrants on misdemeanor trespassing charges in certain areas. Guard members have also been involved in installing barricades and razor wire.
After Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds sent over 100 Guard members and 30 state police to Texas last year, she credited the deployments with being directly involved in dozens of human smuggling cases and arrests. However, records from South Dakota show that some days, troops had little to do. During a rushed deployment of Texas National Guard members at the start of the mission, some even complained of low morale and uneventful patrols.
Trespassing arrests have been a significant part of Abbott’s nearly $10 billion border mission, but may soon be phased out under a new state law set to take effect in March. This law allows police anywhere in Texas to arrest migrants suspected of entering the U.S. illegally.
How else is the National Guard being used?
Not all National Guard members are being sent to Texas. In Massachusetts, Democratic Governor Maura Healey activated hundreds of guard members last August to assist with an influx of migrants. These members helped coordinate food, transportation, medical care, and other basic needs at shelters and hotels.
Additionally, National Guard members from across the country are currently in Texas, aiding with border security operations under the command
