WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE RESOLUTION DECLARING INVASION AT SOUTHERN BORDER

Josh Blaschke September 15, 2022

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Washington County Commissioners are calling upon the state and federal government to increase their efforts to secure the southern border with Mexico.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath explains his vote on a resolution approved by commissioners on Tuesday that declares an invasion at the southern border and asks the state and federal governments to step up enforcement efforts.

Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution declaring that the court “recognizes our southern Texas border is suffering an invasion” and “supports the state-led efforts of Operation Lone Star”. It also requests Governor Greg Abbott to take steps to “stop the invasion at the border” and for the federal government to “uphold its duties to adequately secure and protect the borders of the United States.”

The resolution reads in part that the court “recognizes and affirms the sovereign and unilateral authority explicitly reserved to the States, respectively, under Article I, Section 10 of the United States Constitution and Article IV, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution to defend themselves against invasion, which has been exacerbated by the Federal Government’s failure in meeting its constitutional obligation to ‘insure domestic tranquility’, ‘provide for the common defense’, ‘execute the laws’, and ‘protect each (State) against invasion.’”

Washington County joins 29 other Texas counties that have signed similar resolutions calling for further action at the border. That total includes Atascosa, Burnet, Chambers, Clay, Edwards, Ellis, Goliad, Hardin, Hood, Hunt, Jack, Jasper, Johnson, Kinney, Liberty, Live Oak, Madison, Montague, Orange, Parker, Presidio, Terrell, Throckmorton, Tyler, Van Zandt, Wharton, Wichita, Wilson, and Wise counties.

Speaking on the resolution, County Judge John Durrenberger said all the county wants is for immigration laws to be enforced. He said “what’s going on now is just total invasion,” adding this is costing the state billions of dollars and is not sustainable. Commissioner Candice Bullock said all Texas counties are feeling that impact through tax dollars that have to support the judicial and corrections systems.

Commissioner Joy Fuchs said there are “so many sad things” that are happening around the border, and that they want people to come to the United States, but to do so “the right way.” Commissioner Don Koester said something has to be done about the open border.

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said it is “pretty hypocritical” to say someone does not care about other people because they want a secure border and “very insensitive” to allow the narcotics and human trafficking at the border to continue. He said, “Let’s stop dividing ourselves and start uniting ourselves.”