Texas Border Czar Reveals Strategy to Stop Illegal Immigration

A new Texas border czar is tapped to address the growing issue of illegal immigration in Texas, with Gov. Greg Abbott naming a retired Border Patrol for the position.

Abbott announced Michael Banks, a newly retired Border Patrol agent after serving for more than 20 years, as the new Texas border czar. Banks is expected to use his experience in deploying "strategies that reduce illegal immigration" while keeping the community safe.

Abbott said the reason behind the creation of the new border czar position was due to the Texas illegal immigration crisis needing "a leader whose only focus is responding" to U.S. President Joe Biden administration's "failing policies."

In a White House statement, the administration noted that it is ramping up more resources to the border and the region of Venezuela to improve anti-smuggling operations.

Biden also announce that his administration would refuse migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti a chance to apply for asylum if they illegally crossed the border, according to The New York Times.

New Texas Border Czar

Michael Banks said that his top priority is to make Texas the "least desirable place for illegal immigration to cross," adding that he does not think it would be difficult and that the state and its officials just need to be "aggressive."

Aside from "aggressive" measures Banks is projected to impose, Abbott said the new Texas border czar will also work with the Texas National Guard, state troopers, and the Texas Facilities Commission to fast-track the "building of the border wall in Texas," as cited in Texas Tribune.

The Republican governor announced in the press conference the continuation of the construction of the border wall, with his office estimating it is costing Texas $25 million per mile for the building of the wall.

The Texas Facilities Commission has awarded six contracts since Abbott announced the wall construction in June 2021.

The contracts overall amounted to $841 million, managing 37 miles of border barrier in counties of Cameron, Starr, Val Verde, Webb, and Zapata counties.

Texas Illegal Immigration

Last December, county commissioners of Hopkins County declared a "local state of disaster" due to an "invasion" of immigrants, with Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom signing the resolution in mid-November.

The declaration noted that the health, safety, and welfare of the county residents are "under an imminent threat of disaster" due to an unprecedented influx of illegal migrants, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.

At least 33 counties adopted the resolution, including small and rural counties.

Abbott launched Operation Lone Star as a program directly addressing the Texas illegal immigration crisis. The initiative has caused more than 343,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 23,000 criminal arrests.

The Texas governor has also bused more than 9,100 migrants to the nation's capital, with over 5,200 bused to New York since August 5.

Biden also announced measures to "stiffen enforcement" for those coming without any legal right to stay, as reported by The NY Times.

The president warned them to "not show up at the border," especially if they are trying to leave Cuba, Nicaragua, or Haiti.

Democratic Sen. Bob Mendez said that it would exclude migrants fleeing violence and persecution from their home countries.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Announces Border Czar - from Forbes Breaking News