DEL RIO, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Gov. Greg Abbott says he will unveil a plan next week for Texas to build a wall along the state's border with Mexico.
Abbott, speaking Thursday afternoon at a border security summit in Del Rio, made the announcement along with a number of other border initiatives, part of a "comprehensive border security plan" aimed at cracking down on illegal border crossings.
"I will announce next week the plan for the state of Texas to begin building the border wall in the state of Texas," said Abbott.
Thursday's summit featured county sheriffs, police chiefs, county judges and mayors from border areas, aimed at discussing how the state is securing the border. Abbott said Thursday he'll sign a new disaster declaration next week aimed at giving law enforcement the tools to arrest those crossing the border.
“What this will do, it will focus on making arrests,” Abbott said. “The Department of Public Safety will work with local officials to arrest anyone who enters our state illegally and is found trespassing against them. We will be arresting a lot more people in the future, so more jail space will be required.”
During his remarks, Abbott also highlighted the more than $1 billion that lawmakers allocated to increase border security in the recently passed state budget.
"President Biden’s open-border policies have led to a humanitarian crisis at our southern border as record levels of illegal immigrants, drugs, and contraband pour into Texas,” said Abbott. "While securing the border is the federal government’s responsibility, Texas will not sit idly by as this crisis grows. The state is working collaboratively with communities impacted by the crisis to arrest and detain individuals coming into Texas illegally."
Abbott also announced a new task force that will "analyze and advise on strategies to stem the flow of unlawful immigrants and illegal contraband" across the border. The task force will feature representatives from the governor's office, the Attorney General's office, as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and other agencies.
"Our efforts will only be effective if we work together to secure the border, make criminal arrests, protect landowners, rid our communities of dangerous drugs, and provide Texans with the support they need and deserve," said Abbott. "This is an unprecedented crisis, and Texas is responding with the most robust and comprehensive border plan the nation has ever seen.”
Abbott also highlighted a new inter-state effort between Texas and Arizona, asking other states to send law enforcement officials to assist in making arrests and jailing.