AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF News) – Governor Greg Abbott is planning to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of the state’s emergency declaration request amid recent surges at the Texas-Mexico border.
The denial on Wednesday of supplemental federal assistance comes in the wake of a recent surge of more than 16,000 migrants, many of them Haitian, who gathered at the International Bridge in Del Rio for several days.
The Biden Administration responded to the surge by flying some of the migrants back to Haiti, others who qualified were allowed into the U.S. and were given notices to appear at an immigration offices in the next 60 days.
It’s a situation that caused more frustration for some border patrol officials and local leaders along the border. Governor Abbott puts the blame squarely on the Biden Administraton.
“President Biden has turned his back on Texans living along the border, and FEMA’s refusal to declare a federal emergency at the border puts their health, safety and property at risk,” said the governor. “The State of Texas is appealing this detrimental decision by FEMA because the Biden Administration’s refusal to solve the crisis at our border has led to a strain on local, state and federal resources.”
The governor has continued to tout the state’s response to the migrant surges including the launch of Operation Lone Star in early March.
“There are currently thousands of state personnel, including DPS troopers, agents, Rangers, and National Guard soldiers who are engage in the mission and working with local law enforcement,” said Governor Abbott.
Earlier this month, the Governor signed House Bill 9 which appropriated $1.8 billion to Texas border security efforts.
The Biden Administration has come under fire from both sides of the political isle over border issues.
The administration is using the Trump-era Title 42 law, which allows for migrants to be turned away at the border during a public health crisis.
Immigration activists were critical of the expulsion of some of the Haitian migrants, citing that it targeted a specific group of people.
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