Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has issued an executive order designed to restrict border entries in the state, saying the action will bring down COVID-19 cases, as his party continues to slam President Joe Biden’s handling of the border crisis.
The executive order issued Wednesday will allow the Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers to have the authority to stop vehicles suspected of having illegal immigrants. The executive order has a broad scope as it did not state where the DPS troopers can stop the vehicles. Hence, as long as the vehicle seems suspicious to the DPS troopers, they can stop it and search it for the possibility of transporting illegal immigrants.
The order aims to restrict “ground transportation of migrants who pose a risk of carrying COVID-19 into Texas communities.”
“The dramatic rise in unlawful border crossings has also led to a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases among unlawful migrants who have made their way into our state, and we must do more to protect Texans from this virus and reduce the burden on our communities,” the governor said.
The order comes a month after Abbott expressed and vowed that he would “protect” the citizens under his governance by building a border wall in Texas. This statement is a nod to the plans of former President Donald Trump to curb the illegal crossing of the borders. Abbott, likewise, plans to close the shelters that serve as the home of around 4,500 unaccompanied immigrant children.
