Immigration Advocates Criticize Gov. Abbott's Statement Claiming Texas has the Right to Defend itself by Creating Illegal and Racist Immigration Laws

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2024

Contact: media@texascivilrightsproject.org

AUSTIN, TEXAS - This week, Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement claiming that the State of Texas has a constitutional right to create illegal and racist immigration policies. In the statement, the Governor referenced his declaration of invasion at the border and reinforced his unconstitutional belief that states have the power to enforce immigration policy. Following the statement, the Republican Governors Association released a joint statement from Republican Governors that represent 25 different states, bolstering Governor Abbott’s claims.  

In response to the statements, Tami Goodlette (she/her), director of the Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project, issued the following response: 

“Governor Abbott shows again that he is only interested in gaining more power and scoring political points, rather than governing and caring for everyday Texans. Statements like this are dangerous. The Governor is not only wrong under the law, because Texas does not have the power to enforce its self-created immigration policies, but these reckless claims put Texas communities at risk. We cannot have 50 different state immigration laws: we must speak with one united voice. Instead of working to address a humanitarian emergency, Republican leadership at both the state and federal level is exploiting life-or-death issues at the border for their own political gain, and putting Texan and migrant lives at risk by repeating racist invasion rhetoric. 

The Governor knows the harm he is causing, but prefers to pander to his right-wing base, even if it means tearing our country apart. The Governor cannot be allowed to build his own Texas-based immigration system. TCRP will continue to fight Governor Abbott in court until he is forced to pull down his unconstitutional immigration scheme.”

To schedule an interview with one of the Texas Civil Rights Project’s experts on border and immigration issues, contact media@texascivilrightsproject.org. 

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