Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state’s first border czar will address the influx of immigrants arriving via the southern border.
Abbott appointed veteran Border Patrol Agent Mike Banks to serve as the Governor’s Special Adviser on Border Affairs in response to the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis.
“For nearly two years, the state of Texas has taken unprecedented, historic steps under Operation Lone Star in response to the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said at a news conference at the construction site of a border wall in San Benito, Texas. . “To continue to do what no other state in our country’s history has done to secure the border, I have hired Mike Banks as the first Texas State Border Czar.”
“As an award-winning Border Patrol agent with decades of experience in border security and federal law enforcement, Mike is the perfect choice to oversee Texas’ fight against rising illegal immigration, deadly drugs, and the deadly weapons that come into our state and nation.” the governor continued. “I have no doubt that Mike’s strong leadership record and wealth of experience will provide Texans – and Americans – with the level of border security expertise they deserve from a proper Border Czar.”
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Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state’s first border czar will address the influx of immigrants arriving via the southern border.
(Twitter/Greg Abbott)
Banks, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and Texas Military Department Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer were on hand for Abbott’s announcement.
“I am honored to be selected by Governor Abbott for this opportunity,” Banks said. “Securing our nation’s border is something I have dedicated the last 23 years of my life to, and I am very passionate about it. I look forward to strengthening our relationships with law enforcement partners and the community, leveraging whatever we can to further protect our great state of Texas and the United States.”
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Abbott appointed veteran Border Patrol Agent Mike Banks to serve as the Governor’s Special Adviser on Border Affairs in response to the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis.
(Twitter/Greg Abbott)
The new Texas Border Czar will collaborate daily with DPS, TMD and other state agencies, local officials and Texas landowners to deter and prevent immigrants from illegally entering Texas through the Southern Border. He will also advise Abbott on border situations and strategies, including plans to deal with waves of immigrants. He will be based in Weslaco and will travel along the border when necessary.
Banks has more than 30 years of federal law enforcement leadership experience, including 23 years in border security operations and management along the Southern Border.
Abbott has been highly critical of the Biden administration for its handling of the border, which has seen a record number of illegal crossings since the president took office in January 2021.
Abbott has been highly critical of the Biden administration for its handling of the border, which has seen a record number of illegal crossings since the president took office in January 2021.
(Twitter/Greg Abbott)
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In response to the federal government’s inaction on border security, the Governor has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing the border crisis, including sending migrant buses to sanctuary cities like Washington, DC and New York City, and allocation of $4 billion in funds for the Texas border. security efforts and the deployment of thousands of soldiers from the Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“No governor has dedicated more time, energy and effort in terms of public safety, homeland security and border security than Governor Abbott,” McCraw said at Monday’s press conference.
