EAGLE PASS, Texas – The Texas Department of Public Safety will create and monitor new checkpoints for trucks entering from Mexico after dozens of migrants died in an abandoned trailer in San Antonio, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday.
Abbott said the checkpoints will be set up right away, but didn’t say where they would be located, adding that he didn’t want to tip off smugglers and cartels.
“I can assure you that our troopers will be able to identify the smugglers,” DPS Director Steve McCraw said. “That’s a deterrent and an opportunity to save lives.”
The governor made the announcement during a news conference at the Eagle Pass International Bridge two days after the deadly discovery on the city’s Southwest Side.
Abbott said he was forced to take action because of “President Biden’s growing border crisis.” The governor said Biden was to blame for the migrant deaths.
“I urge the president, stop the loss of lives,” Abbott said.
On Tuesday, Biden called the deaths “horrifying and heartbreaking” and vowed to pursue human traffickers and smugglers.