Texas Border Towns Take Drastic Measures Amid Border Crisis

Texas border town residents arm themselves amid an escalating border crisis.

At a Glance

A bipartisan deal aims to curb migrant influx at the border and provide aid to multiple countries.
The deal causes a split among Texas lawmakers, not strictly along party lines.
Residents face property damage and business disruptions due to Operation Lone Star.
Local law enforcement caught in a challenging position, requiring integrated response.

Texas Residents Take Matters into Their Own Hands

Residents of Texas border towns are increasingly arming themselves as a response to the inflow of illegal crossings, which they perceive as a threat to their safety and property. These self-defense measures come amid reports of increasing crime and property damage, highlighting frustrations with the prevailing inefficacy of current border control measures.

The current bipartisan border deal, designed to address the migrant influx, has received divisive reactions from Texas lawmakers. While U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and others support the $118 billion package, figures like Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic state Sen. Roland Gutierrez have voiced sharp opposition, which signals a deeper divide over immigration policy and border security.

Senator Cruz has criticized the deal for being overly lenient and not aligning with stricter Republican measures. He expressed his discontent bluntly on social media: “It would codify Biden’s open borders into perpetuity. Terrible for Texas, but DC Dems love it.” This sentiment is echoed by former President Donald Trump, who eschewed the deal as a “horrendous Border Bill.”

A few thoughts on this video:

1. If the migrants are this close to the National Guard, it means they already crossed the border. The wire and the barriers are on the U.S. side. Texas nor the US is allowed to erect barriers on the Mexican side. https://t.co/yUudHpXFVd

— Uriel J. García (@ujohnnyg) March 21, 2024

Escalation of Self-Defense Measures

The stakes are rising with the border crisis showing no signs of abatement. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which called for the installation of concertina wire and deployment of the Texas National Guard along the border, shows mixed results. These fortifications have led to property damage and disrupted local businesses, drawing a line between state and resident interests.

“It looks like a war zone in a third-world country,” shared real estate agent and Eagle Pass resident Carlos Herrera, who lives nearby with his young family. He added, “They’ve turned Eagle Pass into a war zone,” highlighting the immense changes the town has undergone.

Increased crime in border towns has been happening for years

Last year I interviewed teenage residents of these border towns like Eagle Pass and they told me heartbreaking stories

One 15-year-old boy told me he was happy he was there to save his mom from a migrant carjacking. https://t.co/nUbCKbzGob pic.twitter.com/Kh1HC4gAZV

— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) May 6, 2024

Complex Reactions and Diverse Opinions

The border deal’s failure to fully secure bipartisan support points to the complex nature of border-related legislation. While the White House and the National Border Patrol Council support the package, there is notable dissent. Ted Cruz criticizes the deal for insufficiently protecting Texas, while Gutierrez lambasts it for limiting asylum access and excluding Hispanic lawmakers from negotiations.

“Only a fool, or a Radical Left Democrat, would vote for this horrendous Border Bill,” stated former President Trump, emphasizing the intense political rhetoric surrounding this issue.

Senator Cruz’s dire view of the current situation is clear: “Until President Biden reverses his open border policies and does his job to secure the border, Texas will continue protecting Texans and Americans from the chaos along the border.”

The far-reaching consequences of self-defense initiatives and border fortifications underline the urgency for an effective, compassionate, and comprehensive approach to the border crisis. As discussions continue, the need for policy reform and community-focused solutions remains a pressing priority.