Gov. Abbott thanks Texas National Guard soldiers, DPS troopers for protecting border

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday thanked Texas National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers for protecting the Texas-Mexico border.

“Their extraordinary efforts have had a direct effect of keeping illegal immigrants out of Texas. These men and women in uniform here today, they’re considered to be heroes by their fellow Americans. They should be proud of what they’ve done. I’m proud of what they’ve done,” Abbott said during a news conference in Brownsville.

Abbott also provided an update on the state’s response to ongoing border security.

The governor mentioned letters he sent this week to fellow governors requesting support for border security following the end of Title 42. Abbott also highlighted the new Texas Tactical Border Force’s success in deterring and repelling illegal crossings at border hotspots last week.

Abbott noted that he is working with the Texas Legislature to crack down on border-related criminal activity. He wants bills filed that would make it a felony for anyone to illegally enter Texas or operate a stash house, and a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for smuggling illegal immigrants in Texas.

Also on KSAT:

• Gov. Greg Abbott focuses on border security in first address since Allen and Brownsville tragedies
• Border didn’t see a “major influx” of migrants when Title 42 ended, federal official says