Ian Patrick, FISM News
Texas is taking more matters of the border into its own hands by appointing its own Border Czar with the express purpose of overseeing border security in the state.
In a statement on January 30, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that he was appointing former Border Patrol agent Mike Banks as the Special Advisor on Border Matters. This marks the state’s first-ever such appointment.
“For nearly two years, the State of Texas has taken unprecedented, historic action under Operation Lone Star in response to the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border,” Abbott said in a corresponding announcement.
“As an award-winning Border Patrol Agent, with decades of federal law enforcement and border security experience, Mike is the perfect choice to oversee Texas’ fight against the surge of illegal immigration, lethal drugs, and deadly weapons flowing into our state and nation.
“I have no doubt that Mike’s strong record of leadership and wealth of experience will provide Texans — and Americans — the level of border security expertise they deserve from a proper Border Czar,” Abbott added.
Abbott was joined by Banks, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw, and Texas Military Department Major General Thomas Suelzer for the announcement.
According to the press release from Abbott’s office, Banks “will report directly to Governor Abbott and ensure border security strategies are fully executed in Texas in the absence of meaningful federal action.” His ultimate goal is to ensure that Operation Lone Star — the governor’s illegal immigration deterrence plan — is fully carried out.
The move is a dig at the Biden administration’s lackluster response to record-breaking encounters at the southwestern border. The statement itself even referenced “President Joe Biden’s absence” as the driving factor behind the appointment of a Texas border czar.