The following statement is from Jessica Azua, Immigration Justice Director with Texas Organizing Project (TOP) in response to 26 Republican governors announcing a Border Strike Force that seeks to further militarize our nation’s southern border:
“Gov. Abbott and his right-wing governor cohort are once again doubling down on a dangerous and failed militant approach to handle what is a humanitarian issue.
“These governors aren’t interested in adopting rational solutions that respect migrants’ rights and dignity; they’re only interested in pushing hateful narratives rooted in racism that instill fear and further divide communities.
“If Abbott’s bungled mess known as Operation Lone Star has shown Texans anything, it’s that political theater always takes priority over actual public safety. While Texans remain in dire need of leadership, especially on pandemic relief, Abbott stays fixated on sowing confusion in border communities.
“This misguided strike force is fundamentally an expansion of Abbott’s recent border policies that have only resulted in chaos and human rights violations.”
###
Texas Organizing Project organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.