TEXAS, USA — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to Major General Tracy R. Norris, Texas National Guard adjutant general, ordering guardsmen to help the Texas Department of Public Safety with arresting individuals for state charges related to the border crisis.
During the governor's border security summit in Del Rio in mid-June, Abbott announced individuals who commit criminal trespass or other state offenses will be subject to arrest and confinement. This order builds on the governor's disaster declaration directing DPS to enforce all federal and state criminal laws including for criminal trespassing, smuggling and human trafficking.
"To respond to this disaster and secure the rule of law at our Southern border, more manpower is needed—in addition to the troopers from DPS and soldiers from the Texas National Guard I have already deployed there—and DPS needs help in arresting those who are violating state law," the letter states. "By virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, I hereby order that the Texas National Guard assist DPS in enforcing Texas law by arresting lawbreakers at the border."
