The Ellis County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a declaration calling on Abbott to “immediately prevent and/or remove all persons trespassing as well as invading the sovereignty of Texas and that of the United States.”
Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Waxahachie), whose district covers Ellis County, expressed his support for the declaration in a news release Monday night as he criticized President Biden.
“I am proud to have encouraged Ellis County to stand up for our shared constituents and all Texans and thankful for the leadership displayed by the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court today in requesting Governor Abbott declare an invasion,” Harrison said.
“While unprecedented, given that Texas is the first impacted and the most impacted by the Biden Border Crisis we must do the job Biden refuses to do and secure the border ourselves using every tool and legal authority available.”
Ellis County borders the southern boundary of Dallas County and has a population of over 179,000 residents.
Among other reasons for the resolution, Ellis County commissioners cited “the smuggling of fentanyl and other opioids infiltrating our southern border.” The document also referenced the number of illegal aliens and suspected terrorists who have been apprehended.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported in its operational update for July that more than 1.8 million illegal aliens have been arrested by border guards so far this fiscal year.
While Abbott called illegal immigration an “invasion” in an executive order he issued in early July, he did not order state police or National Guardsmen to deport illegal aliens. The governor indicated earlier this year he believes that could result in state officials facing federal prosecution.
Hardin and Chambers counties also passed resolutions Monday calling illegal immigration an “invasion.”
Many other counties have passed documents calling for a statewide “invasion” declaration or supporting border security efforts through Operation Lone Star, including Parker, Goliad, Wise, Tyler, Atascosa, Terrell, Kinney, Uvalde, Burnet, and Medina.
Copies of the Ellis County and Chambers County resolutions can be found below.
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Hayden Sparks
Hayden Sparks is a senior reporter for The Texan and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. He has coached competitive speech and debate and has been involved in politics since a young age. One of Hayden's favorite quotes is by Sam Houston: "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
