BRACKETTVILLE, Texas – Kinney County and several other counties have declared an “invasion” in Texas by migrants, and officials want Gov. Greg Abbott to recognize the problem and treat it as such.
The announcement was made during a news conference Tuesday in Brackettville, where a host of county judges and sheriff’s announced their support of the declaration.
“(I) declare we are being invaded,” said Kinney County Judge Tulley Shahan. “They’re coming to a neighborhood near you. America doesn’t know what’s happening here. We’re here to try and change that.”
According to Shahan, Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution and Article 4, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution allow for such a declaration. In addition, they want Abbott to acknowledge the existence of the invasion and “take necessary actions to preserve and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity in Texas.”
Shahan said that constitutional authority allows Abbott to “immediately prevent and/or remove all persons invading the sovereignty” of Texas and the U.S.
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, who attended the news conference, said that Arizona has taken similar steps that officials called for Tuesday.
“You’re damn right it’s an invasion. What else do you call it?” Roy said.
One by one, sheriffs and county judges told reporters similar stories of how migrants have caused all types of problems in their communities. They mentioned that coyotes are leading law enforcement on chases, destroying property and other crimes.
“Coyotes are bringing people through our community,” said Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin. “It needs to stop.”
Brackettville Mayor Eric Martinez said migrants are “trying to blend in our schools ... and then making their way elsewhere.”
The sheriffs and county judges blamed the Biden Administration for the “open border” policy.