Texas To Appeal FEMA Denial Of State’s Emergency Declaration Over Border Crisis

Bethany Blankley (The Center Square).

Texas taxpayers are paying billions for illegal immigration. Texas is strained with its law enforcement, medical personnel, and county governments. To respond to the influx of illegal immigrants, governors and county judges declared disaster.

Counties first filed disaster declarations April 21, followed by the state’s disaster declaration on May 31.

Texas requested federal aid from FEMA. It specifically asked for additional federal help to address the high-priced illegal border crossings into Texas.

RELATED: Texas Prepares for What Might Be the Largest Illegal Immigration Influx in U.S. History

FEMA declined the request September 30, The federal disaster designation gives states the ability to apply for federal money for funding both for their county’s needs and for services.

Gov. Greg Abbott said Texas will appeal FEMA’s denial.

Abbott requested federal aid Sept. 20, arguing that the federal government’s failure to enforce immigration laws, and failure to halt illegal crossings on federal property, the sole jurisdiction of the federal government, created substantial burdens on local and state resources.

Abbott stated that the Federal Government failed to act and led to an influx of over 16,000 migrants who stayed at Del Rio International Bridge for several consecutive days.

“President Biden has turned his back on Texans living along the border, and FEMA’s refusal to declare a federal emergency at the border puts their health, safety, and property at risk,” Abbott said in a statement.

“The State of Texas is appealing this detrimental decision by FEMA because the Biden Administration’s refusal to solve the crisis at our border has led to a strain on local, state, and federal resources. The surge of over 16,000 migrants at the Del Rio International Bridge is just one of the most recent examples of the federal government’s failure to take action.”

Border Patrol agent Jon Anfinsen, president of the national union’s Del Rio chapter, told The Washington Examiner that it was Texas state troopers (DPS) who helped hold the line under the bridge.

“Literally, we could not have any semblance of control down here without DPS,” Anfinsen said. “DPS has thankfully come out here and helped us out dramatically. We literally could not control this or have even some semblance of control without DPS, National Guard, all the other local stakeholders that are out here.”

President of the National Border Patrol Council Brandon Judd estimated that federal agents are outnumbered by state troopers at the border 3 to 1.

RELATED : Gov. Abbott’s Operation Lone Star: Doing What Biden Admin. Won’t On The Border

“This crisis has not ended and will only get worse if the Biden Administration continues to turn a blind eye to the reality at the border,” Abbott said. “Texas will continue to step up and address this crisis in full force, but supplemental federal assistance should be granted to further protect Texans and halt the influx of drugs, people, and contraband into our state.”

Funding has been possible because the Texas Legislature approved additional resources totaling $1.8 billion for border security during the summer’s second special legislative session.

Abbott stated earlier this year that $1 billion was spent on border security, with funding for Operation Lone Star which began March 6.

Operation Lonestar is a joint operation of thousands state personnel. This includes DPS troopers, agents and rangers as well the National Guardsmen & women.

In addition to plans for a wall along the border, state officials have already started constructing barriers and strategic fencing around private and public property. Earlier this month, two companies were chosen to oversee the wall’s construction.

All of these efforts have been funded by Texas taxpayers, Abbott notes, who shouldn’t be paying to cover costs created by the federal government.

This article was syndicated by permission of The Center Square.