Officials in different counties in Texas including leaders, judges and mayors are set to issue emergency declarations this week amid what they describe as an “invasion” at the southern border.
In a press conference in Brackettville on Tuesday, July 5, several officials from Kinney, Goliad, Uvalde and Terrell Counties including Congressman Chip Roy called on Gov. Greg Abbott to enforce federal immigration laws.
The demand comes as former Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services Ken Cuccinelli told the reporters that the governor is the one who is authorized to “repel an invasion and get boots on the ground to officially turn immigrants away and physically send them back.”
Despite Abbott’s refusal to do so due to the potential legal consequences, several officials at the conference insisted that action needs to happen as they are “under siege.”
“It’s a nightmare…It needs to stop. The federal government is not going to do it. We’re not doing these people any favors. We’re setting them up for failure. You’re turning them loose with nowhere to go, no jobs, and no work permit.” Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin declared.
Kinney County Judge Tully Shahan also claimed that Dimmit County and the country’s seat, Carrizo Springs, are also planning to issue similar emergency declarations.
The conference also got heated after Goliad County Sheriff Roy Boyd warned that he would throw the migrants to jail and would not send the apprehended ones to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for deportation.
“We will throw you in jail. Everybody goes to jail. It’s engaging in organized criminal activity and smuggling of persons and the trafficking of persons. They’re always evading. They’re destroying the fences and are trespassing. You show up in our county and you conduct yourself in that manner. We’re gonna throw you in jail. There is no deportation. There’s just jail time.” Boyd blasted.
The conference came after the 53 undocumented immigrants were found dead in the back of a semi-truck on June 27.
In a press conference following the tragic incident, Police Chief William McManus revealed that the authorities initially received a report around 5:50 p.m.
from a worker who reportedly had heard cries for help.
The authorities then found the vehicle and discovered a number of dead bodies inside the trailer.
“The scene was tragic beyond words. I don’t understand how anyone could be so callous as to allow it happen and run from the scene.” McManus said.
