Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Appoints Border Czar
“It is clear that when the federal government refuses to secure our borders, the states must step in and act.”

Sydnie Henry | January 31, 2023

https://texasscorecard.com/state/texas-gov-greg-abbott-appoints-border-czar/

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed former Border Patrol Agent Mike Banks as Texas’ first-ever Border Czar. Banks will assist the governor in coordinating state border security efforts.

According to the governor’s office, “Border Czar Banks will report directly to Governor Abbott and ensure border security strategies are fully executed in Texas in the absence of meaningful federal action. He will collaborate daily with [Texas Military Department], [Texas Department of Public Safety], and other state agencies, local officials, and Texas landowners to carry out Operation Lone Star’s mission of deterring and repelling migrants from illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico.”

“For nearly two years, the State of Texas has taken unprecedented, historic action under Operation Lone Star in response to the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” said Abbott.

“Mike is the perfect choice to oversee Texas’ fight against the surge of illegal immigration, lethal drugs, and deadly weapons flowing into our state and nation. I have no doubt that Mike’s strong record of leadership and wealth of experience will provide Texans—and Americans—the level of border security expertise they deserve from a proper Border Czar,” Abbott continued, taking a potshot at U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves as the Biden administration’s Border Czar.

Chris Russo, the president of Texans for Strong Borders, applauded Abbott’s appointment but insisted more needs to be done. “It is clear that when the federal government refuses to secure our borders, the states must step in and act,” he argued.

Russo continued:

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