Governor Greg Abbott is telling sheriffs in South and West Texas to plan now for the end of Title 42 expulsions. The measure was invoked in 2020 and is scheduled to expire May 23.
Title 42 was first used during World War II and is a public health measure. The law allows the federal government to stop people from entering the country to stop a contagious disease from spreading in the U.S.
During a meeting with the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition Monday in El Paso, Abbott said, "I cannot overemphasize this. The time to prepare is now."
"Texas has the flexibility and the capability to make sure we can assist you in responding to whatever challenge you're dealing with," he said. "All we need is to maintain that high level of communication to achieve the collaboration you need."
Abbott confirmed plans first announced last week to bus some migrants to Washington D.C. He said small counties along the border "have no infrastructure, no capability of dealing with this extraordinarily high volume of people."
Humanitarian groups say Customs and Border Protection is dropping off migrants in small towns after they are processed. Abbott said law enforcement in those areas along the border are "incapable of responding to the high demand for resources and support" in addition to their standard duties.
"If Border Patrol drops people off in your county, you will be able to work with the state to transport those people out of your county to a location where they will be immediately connected with either Border Patrol officials, ICE officials or other appropriate federal authorities," he said. "We have the buses available for you already."
Abbott said buses are in place now and can respond to a location within one hour.
Abbott said Texas will increase boat patrols to form a blockade on the Rio Grande. He said the state will also lay razor wire at the border.
"It costs little. It's easy to deploy but also serves as a deterrent," he said.
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