Courtesy Fox 4 News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to discuss border security and Texas’ role in supporting federal immigration efforts.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
Following their discussions, Governor Abbott addressed the media after President Trump signed an executive order prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports. Abbott provided insight into the wide-ranging conversation he had with the president regarding border security and immigration enforcement.
Among the topics covered were the construction of the border wall, Texas’ proposal to offer land in Starr County for deportation facilities, and the state’s offer of 4,000 prison beds to house individuals arrested during immigration operations.
Additionally, Governor Abbott reiterated his request for more than $11 billion in federal reimbursement for Texas’ border security expenditures. He announced plans to return to Washington next week for further discussions on the issue.
Shifts in Border Enforcement Under the Trump Administration
Governor Abbott emphasized what he described as a significant decrease in illegal border crossings since President Trump took office, attributing the shift to stronger enforcement policies. However, he noted that the current focus has shifted toward combatting cartel activity at the border.
During his visit, Abbott also met with the Trump administration’s border czar, Tom Homan, to discuss strategies for enhancing immigration enforcement.
Texas National Guard to Assist with Immigration Arrests
Earlier this week, Texas and U.S. Customs and Border Protection reached an agreement allowing Texas National Guard members to participate in immigration arrests. Under the new policy, state troops will be authorized to detain individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, provided a U.S. immigration officer or Border Patrol agent is present.
Unanswered Questions
While Governor Abbott detailed several initiatives under discussion, he did not specify the locations of the 4,000 state prison beds designated for immigration detainees, only stating that they were spread across Texas.
As border security remains a central issue, further developments are expected in the coming weeks as Texas and federal authorities continue negotiations.