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Multiple Republican-led states began sending personnel and resources months ago to combat increased migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, with one state saying "nothing is off the table" as tensions bubble between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Biden administration.
Abbott has voiced displeasure over Monday's 5-4 Supreme Court decision, which vacated an injunction from an appeals court and allowed federal Border Patrol agents to remove razor wire installed at the border by Texas officials under Abbott's direction. It does not prevent Texas from erecting new wire.
On Thursday, 25 Republican governors backed Abbott and "Texas's constitutional authority to defend and protect itself" against what he has referred to as a migrant "invasion" of his state. Some believe the situation is escalating towards a civil war.
The joint statement by the conservative governors reads: "We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border.
"We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally."
In August, 14 Republican-led states provided resources and personnel to Operation Lone Star—a multi-agency effort in Texas to apprehend illegal immigrants and make criminal arrests.
On Thursday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin provided a full-throated endorsement of Texas' handling of the border situation.
Christian Martinez, spokesperson for Youngkin, told Newsweek via email on Thursday that the state has deployed approximately 100 soldiers and airmen to Texas. It stems from an executive order issued by Youngkin last May.
"The Biden administration's inability to secure our southern border has turned every state into a border state. ... The southern border has experienced tremendous challenges with human trafficking, drug trafficking, the flow of people and threats to national security," Martinez said.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders deployed 80 Arkansas National Guard soldiers between June 24 through August 5. There could be more going down south in the future.
"Governor Sanders supports Governor Abbott's efforts to secure the southern border and nothing is off the table to assist Texas with their efforts to combat Biden's failure," Sanders spokesperson Alexa Henning told Newsweek via email on Thursday.
"She will continue to raise concern about the humanitarian and security crisis, human trafficking and drug trafficking that is affecting every state in the nation due to the Biden administration's disastrous open border policies."
Also on Thursday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem told Fox News' Sean Hannity that she will travel to the "warzone" at the border.
Her office told Newsweek that she deployed 50 South Dakota National Guard soldiers last summer, and more may be on their way.
"I am willing to send National Guard down there to stand alongside them," Noem told Hannity. "I want it to be different arrangements this time. If we're going to enforce Texas law—and if I'm going to have the ability to use these soldiers in a way that's effective—that will be absolutely fantastic."
North Dakota currently has approximately 125 soldiers from the 817th Engineer Company deployed at the southern border on Title 10 mobilization, a spokesperson for North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum told Newsweek. They were sent in response to Texas' Emergency Management Assistance Compact.
South Dakota's neighbor to the North originally sent approximately 100 members of the Wahpeton-based 188th Engineer Company last August, serving a 30-day mission as part of a joint operation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department.
A spokesperson for Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen referred Newsweek to his past deployments, including 10 state troopers to the Texas border last May. Another 61 Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers were stationed at the Texas border between August 2 and September 1.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, one of the 25 who signed the letter, told Newsmax on Thursday: "I mean right now you've got the federal agents who are cutting the wire and then you've got the Texas National Guard on orders to put up wire, this is a powder keg worth of tension. It's a very weird situation, we certainly stand with Texas on the right to defend themselves."
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About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek investigative reporter based in Michigan. His focus includes U.S. and international politics and policies, immigration, ... Read more