LUPE condemns dangerous new border measures Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law on June 8, 2023. These measures will pour billions of public funds into wasteful border militarization while the urgent infrastructure needs go ignored and the migrant humanitarian crisis grows.

On Thursday, June 8, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed six border militarization bills into law. As a response, Dani Marrero Hi, deputy director of movement building at La Unión del Pueblo Entero, said:

“Today, Gov. Greg Abbott sent a clear message to border residents: the state will continue to divest from urgent infrastructure needs that will keep Texans safe and instead fund wasteful military operations and policing of immigrant families at the border. 

At LUPE, we strongly condemn the failure of state leadership to prioritize the well being of families and individuals at the border over political games and ‘made for TV’ tactics. Border residents deserve leadership that defends our values and protects working families, not elected officials who cater to political theater and extremist groups.

In the last weeks, the Rio Grande Valley has seen a series of moderate to severe storms that have wrecked our homes, businesses, schools, and streets— especially in low-income neighborhoods. We have growing concern of the damage that storms will cause during this hurricane season, which our current infrastructure is painfully inadequate to handle. 

A majority of Texans agree that our state is big and strong enough to meet the needs of all of its residents and welcome people seeking safety. Unfortunately, Gov. Abbott time and time again chooses to throw border residents and immigrants under the bus for the sake of his own political gain.”

The following are the six bills Abbott signed into law: 

1. SB 423: This bill authorizes the Texas Military Department to utilize drones as part of their mission to secure the southern border. 
2. SB 602: Under current law, federal border patrol agents are only allowed to detain certain individuals at established border checkpoints and points of entry pending transfer to a peace officer. This does not include the power to arrest or search and seizure.
3. SB 1133: Related to property damages for border landowners
4. SB 1403: This bill gives permissive authority to the Governor to coordinate and execute interstate compact for border security among interested states that does not require congressional approval.
5. SB 1484: This bill allows DPS to train local Texans law enforcement officers to deal with cartel activity and related crimes
6. SB 1900: Senate Bill 1900 will designate “drug cartels” and other similar groups as “foreign terrorist organizations” under state law.”

To schedule a virtual or in-person interview in English or Spanish with a spokesperson from LUPE, please contact Ramiro Gonzalez at ramirog@lupenet.org or (956)360-4277.