Republican gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines says the large number of unlawful border crossings amount to an invasion, and vows to use state powers to crack down if elected.
Last week the U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector apprehended more than 2,000 undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. and also deterred 800 people from entering the country illegally, according to a tweet by Acting Chief Patrol Agent Carl Landrum. His tweet included photographs of immigrants wading through water while carrying their belongings in trash bags on their backs, as well as several people being detained. Landrum said the Laredo Sector remains vigilant, but Huffines was not impressed and said more needs to be done.
“So out of nearly 3,000 invaders, only 800 were turned back at the Texas Border, and 2,000 are held in custody waiting to be set free in our country,” Huffines said. “When I am Governor, this will stop. I will build the wall, secure the border, and Texas will deport every illegal immigrant apprehended while attempting to cross our border.”
Throughout his campaign Huffines has emphasized that Texas must end illegal immigration, highlighting cartel involvement and the ongoing crisis surrounding human trafficking. His plan includes using the state’s powers to stop inbound commercial traffic from Mexico until cartels and illegal immigration are stopped. He said Mexico is being a “very bad neighbor” and added that an incentive needs to be created for Mexico to “get their side of the border under control."
“Women and children are being abused and victimized, and our failure to take the border crisis seriously has been a major contributing factor in that,” Huffines said. “We don’t just want to secure our border – we have a moral obligation to do so.”
Huffines’ border plan references Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution, which lists powers reserved to the federal government rather than the states. These include the ability to execute trade agreements with foreign nations or to assemble troops for war.
However, in the final line of Article I, Section 10, states are given the ability to perform all of these tasks that are normally left to the federal government if “actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.” Huffines has said on a number of occasions that he considers the situation at the Mexico border an invasion.
Huffines, CEO of Huffines Communities and a former state senator, is taking on Gov. Greg Abbott in the March 1 primary election. Other front-runners include former Florida Congressman Allen West and media personality Chad Prather. The Democratic field is led by former U.S. Congressman Beto O’Rourke.
