Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared on Wednesday that Texas is under siege and that he will crowd fund to build a border wall, despite CBP data that shows that migration levels — while higher than previously — do not approach the historic highs of the 1980s and late 90s.
“Once again, our border communities are denigrated to serve a false narrative about a dangerous border that will be used in upcoming political campaigns. Border communities are some of the safest in the nation, according to FBI crime data and an acknowledgment of the hard work of Border Patrol and our law enforcement agencies. Governor Abbott needs to stop the lies and work on the issues that are really placing Texans in danger, like the dysfunctional energy grid and millions of Texas families without healthcare,“ said Melissa Cigarroa, riverfront landowner and No Border Wall Coalition activist.
“Governor Abbott’s $250 million down payment will come from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It seems like the State of Texas will ‘defund the police’ for this ridiculous and ineffective wall,” said activist, educator, and mother, Nadja Lopez.
In 2018, a group named We Build the Wall constructed a three-mile section of border wall in the Rio Grande Valley that is now at risk of falling into the river. Founders Brain Kolfage and Steve Bannon crowd funded over $25 million for that project. They were subsequently indicted for wire theft, fraud, and money laundering conspiracy for the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars from that fund for their personal use. “Governor Abbott should remember the corruption that happened the last time crowdsourcing replaced a real budget process,” said Maxine Rebeles, a member of Veterans United to Stop the Wall, an educator, and a riverside neighborhood resident.
In July of 2020, the DHS Inspector General found that CBP had not provided evidence to justify the expense of a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project along the border. President Biden rescinded the 2019 National Emergency Declaration on Day 1 of his administration.
(The #NoBorderWall Laredo Coalition is a network of residents, elected officials, & organizations who oppose the border wall. Website: facebook.com/NoBorderWallCoalition | Insta: @noborderwall_ltx)
Abbott uses the false narrative of border crisis to attract nativist votes like a pimp dresses up his “wares” to attract customers for the world’s oldest profession. He’s acting like Trump’s Mini-Me.
Abbot is again promoting misguided ideologies by pushing for the border wall and engaging state law enforcement in immigration enforcement. Like his pandemic and gun law mismanagement, his efforts will be recognized as misguided efforts.