Thread: Abbott Again Presses Federal Government on Border Security

by Patrick Svitek Sept. 30, 2015

Amid reports of a spike in illegal border crossings, Gov. Greg Abbott is again pushing the federal government to fortify the Texas-Mexico border, demanding "immediate and bold action" from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

On Wednesday, Abbott sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson requesting that 250 additional Border Patrol agents be sent to Texas to combat the crossings, which increased in August by more than half over a year prior. Abbott also asked for five aerostats — blimp-like aircrafts — to help law enforcement officials combat drug smuggling.

Abbott also wants to know more about the conditions under which people in the country illegally are released to either family members of private groups across the state. A fourth request by the governor is for continued collaboration with federal agencies on the operation of two detention centers in Texas.

In the letter, Abbott emphasized that Texas is doing its part to secure the border, citing the $800 million plan he signed into law in June. Among other things, the plan calls for 250 new Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to be stationed in the area of the border.

"Texas will continue to be assertive in securing our border," Abbott wrote. "But given recent reports that our southern border has become more porous — not less, it is clearer than ever that the federal government must act to reverse the tide of this mounting crisis."

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

http://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/...nt-border-sec/

Meanwhile, people in Texas are talking to Washington like they are in Blade Runner:

Give 'em hell, Governor Abbott!!