AUSTIN, Texas–Responding to the Texas border crisis, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to fund the state of Texas to secure the border. This request for immediate assistance comes on the heels of reports of a 92 percent increase in the crossing of the Texas border by minors.
Breitbart Texas has reported border patrol officials are overwhelmed by the influx of unaccompanied minors Texas. Last week, Brandon Darby, Breitbart Texas managing director, released photos showing the inhumane housing of these children who are being sent to Texas in hopes of a future amnesty.
In a letter obtained by Breitbart Texas, General Abbott noted the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has a proven track record of “interdicting, intercepting and disrupting the criminal operations of transnational gangs and international drug cartels–including illegal smuggling operations by those criminal organizations.”
Abbott requested that DHS provide Texas with $30 million to be directed toward state and local law enforcement agencies in Texas. “The Texas DPS is prepared to swiftly launch a significant and proven border security operation once funding is available,” Abbott said. “The cost for the operation is approximately $1.3 million per week and is necessary to stem the tide of unauthorized entries across the porous U.S.-Mexico border. The operational costs reflect overtime for State Troopers working 12-hour shifts and other expenses such as fuel and lodging, as well as overtime for local law enforcement agencies, which augment the DPS operations.”
The $30 million requested by Gen. Abbott represents about two percent of the amount President Obama has requested from Congress for temporary aid to deal with the Texas border crisis. Abbott believes Texas can provide border security enhancement resources to make a significant decrease in the cost that will be incurred by American taxpayers.
“Unless the Department of Homeland Security or another federal agency provides funding,” Abbott stated, “the cartels–which are central to this crisis–will prevail because they profit from each illegal border crossing. With the requested aid, though, the Texas DPS can apply its proven record of success to help staunch this cartel-driven border security problem.”
Abbott concluded his letter to Secretary Johnson by praising the men and women who protect our borders. “I applaud the members of the Border Patrol who defend our border, but they are overwhelmed,” Abbott said. “Since 2010, the number of apprehensions along the Texas Mexico border has increased by more than 90 percent. Our State needs an increased deployment from the Border Patrol to discourage young persons from making the dangerous and illegal journey so far from their homes.”
Bob Price is a staff writer and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX
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